‘Stuff The Bus’ To Help Bucks County School Kids

Provided by the United Way of Bucks County: 

In Bucks County, four out of every 25 kids struggle to have their basic needs met. For them, the school supplies many of us consider “essential” are out of reach. Supplies most people wouldn’t think twice about — a pencil, backpack, or even a notebook — can push a low-income family over their budget. Unfortunately, this is a reality for children who are in need and at-risk, right in our own neighborhoods.

Wells Fargo, BB&T, Bank of America, Bay Sales LLC., Comcast, Cummins, PECO, Sesame Place, and St. Mary Medical Center are collaborating with nonprofits; United Way of Bucks County, Bucks County Housing Group, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County, YWCA Bucks County, Catholic Social Services, and Bucks for Kids to make a difference for kids in need through a project called Stuff the Bus.

Each business will both sponsor and provide volunteer support for Stuff the Bus 2018. Nonprofit partners of the event will aid in the collection of school supplies from community members and will help distribute supplies to their clients.

“At Wells Fargo we’re again proud to partner with the United Way of Bucks County to make the start of the school year brighter for students across the region,” said Joe Kirk, Wells Fargo Region President for Greater Philadelphia.  “Our volunteers want to make sure that every student has a successful first day of class and filling these backpacks with school supplies will help students from all socio-economic backgrounds begin the year with the tools they need to be successful.”

For the first time this year, volunteer opportunities for Stuff the Bus will take place next door to United Way of Bucks County’s office at the Fairless Hills Fire Department’s Westaby Hall. Supplies will be sorted and inventoried on August 16, packed in backpacks by teams of volunteers on August 23, and distributed on August 24. Those interested in volunteering can learn more at http://bit.ly/StuffTheBus18

Cliff Bidlingmaier, president of the Fairless Hills Fire Department and Westaby Hall, notes “our organization is a proud supporter of this initiative and the community — especially when we can help children in need.”

Danielle Bush, Stuff the Bus project director for United Way, explains that having the right supplies can impact the way students learn.  “Just think about how being unprepared for a meeting makes you feel —frazzled, anxious, and embarrassed. Now imagine walking into a classroom on the first day of school and think of how that must feel, especially to a child who may be dealing with a lot at home too. It really impacts a student’s self efficacy and their self esteem,” she says.

Together, the partners collaborating on Stuff the Bus hope to provide 3,000 backpacks stuffed with essential school supplies. Backpacks are distributed to families with the greatest need through every school district in Bucks County, as well as 31 nonprofit agencies and faith-based groups.

“When people step up and support Stuff the Bus, they’re really changing things for a child who needs help,” says Bush. “It is an awesome feeling seeing these kids with their new school supplies, you just know how much they appreciate that brand new backpack by the big bright smiles on their faces,” she adds.

How you can help Stuff the Bus:

1. Donate online: A backpack filled with required school supplies costs about $35 per child, but all donations are welcome! www.uwbucks.org/stuffthebus
2. Mail a check to: UnitedWay at 413 Hood Blvd, Fairless Hills, PA 19030 with “Stuff the Bus” in the memo line.
3. Bring your donation of NEW school supplies to any of theSTB collection sites on Monday 8/13 or Tuesday 8/14. A complete list of supplies can be found here.
4. Volunteerat Stuff the Bus: http://bit.ly/StuffTheBus18