Stuff the Bus 2026 made a record impact
Back to school is always an exciting time, but as students across Utah prepare to return to classrooms for the 2026-27 academic year, the rising cost of school supplies can create a significant barrier for working families. According to a recent economic analysis, a list of typical school supplies will cost families 7.7% more than last year, with the price of some supplies like notebooks increasing as much as 23%. For a child, having these basic school supplies can mean the difference between showing up for the first day already at a disadvantage and starting the school year confident and equipped with the tools they need to learn.
That’s why, for the past 16 years, United Way of Salt Lake has rallied volunteers and resources to provide backpacks and school supplies for students across the Wasatch Front as part of our Stuff the Bus campaign. One of our signature Year of Action events, Stuff the Bus serves 10,000+ students across six school districts. This year, we received a record number of requests—almost 40% more supplies requested than last year—from schools and youth-serving organizations to help meet the growing need.
Thanks to our generous sponsors, supply drive hosts, donors, and volunteers, Stuff the Bus 2026 was more impactful than ever. Throughout the summer, 51 supply drive hosts mobilized their workplaces and community groups to gather donated supplies, and we raised more than $91,482 which we used to purchase the most needed school supplies in bulk. All of these efforts culminated during the first week of August at the South Salt Lake Community Center where more than 300 corporate and community volunteers showed up throughout the week to count and sort donated supplies; stuff backpacks with classroom essentials like notebooks, pencils, and highlighters; and prepare everything to be distributed to 42 schools and youth-serving organizations. Together, we filled 8,321 backpacks with 155,878 individual school supplies for students at 24 elementary schools, six middle schools, five high schools, and seven youth-serving organizations.
The numbers are impressive, but the real impact is felt by every working Utah family who can breathe a little easier knowing their back-to-school expenses are alleviated, and every child who can now start the school year with the supplies they need to succeed. We’re highlighting a few of our corporate partners who helped make Stuff the Bus such a huge success, with reflections about why they support United Way of Salt Lake’s work to ensure 100% of Utah kids and families thrive.
Chevron
As a presenting sponsor, Chevron contributed both financial and volunteer support for Stuff the Bus this year. Fifteen Chevron volunteers came to the South Salt Lake Community Center to help count and sort donated school supplies, ensuring everything was organized and ready to be stuffed into backpacks later in the week or distributed directly to schools that had requested specific supplies. By supporting Stuff the Bus, Chevron fuels academic success for thousands of local students.
“Chevron really believes in setting students up for success through initiatives like Stuff the Bus because removing any type of barrier, whether that’s not having enough school supplies or materials that they need, is super important so that they feel like they belong in the school, they have what they need, and they don’t have to worry about that extra step. And that also frees the teachers up as well to focus on the learning and the teaching itself.”
-Arikka Von, Corporate Affairs Advisor at Chevron
Goldman Sachs
Twelve volunteers from the Goldman Sachs Bank Community TeamWorks initiative rolled up their sleeves to count and sort donated school supplies at the South Salt Lake Community Center. In addition to providing volunteer support, the Controllers division at Goldman Sachs hosted a supply drive with 50 contributors, collecting essential school supplies throughout the summer to support Stuff the Bus.
“The United Way of Salt Lake helps create and drive systems that support lasting change for children and families. That work is only possible because our community continues to invest in the success and well-being of local children and families. Stuff the Bus is one important part of a much larger effort to help students start the school year prepared and positioned for success. It’s an initiative that resonates with many people because they can see firsthand the impact their contributions have on local students and the incredible work being done throughout our community.”
-Brian McCallion, Managing Director of Goldman Sachs and United Way of Salt Lake Board Chair
Vista Bank
Twelve Vista Bank volunteers rolled up their sleeves to help fill thousands of backpacks, ensuring each one was stocked with the necessary school supplies. They then packed the backpacks into boxes so they were ready to be delivered to schools across the Salt Lake Valley in time for the start of the school year.
“I feel it’s important to set students up for success because when a confident student shows up in school on the first day, which for some people can be very intimidating, it just sets them off on the right foot so they can focus on learning and not focus on the things that they don’t have. And that’s why we continue to support Stuff the Bus every year with United Way of Salt Lake.”
– David Stahl, United Way of Salt Lake Board Member and Head of Business Banking at NBH Bank
THANK YOU to all our generous sponsors, supply drive hosts, donors, and volunteers who came together to make Stuff the Bus 2026 a huge success. Your support ensures that Utah students have the tools they need for a successful school year. If you are interested in sponsoring Stuff the Bus 2027, contact Roni Scheidler at veronica.scheidler@uw.org or visit our website to learn about our other Year of Action events and find more opportunities to get involved.
Written by Jenna Fischer, Content Strategist
