Summer break is just around the corner, and we’re already thinking of ways to help students succeed during the 2023-2024 school year. Each year our annual Stuff the Bus event aims to gather, pack, and distribute school supplies to more than 10,000 students in grades K-12. 

Do you want to help make sure kids have the tools they need to start the new school year? Host a supply drive! Here are 9 steps for hosting a fun, successful supply drive at your office, church, home, or pretty much anywhere. Not ready to host an in-person event? You can host a virtual drive and we’ll use the funds raised to purchase supplies! 

1. Register Your School Supply Drive 

Register both your virtual and in-person drives here!

2. Get Your Group Excited (and Share Why School Supplies Matter) 

When kids return to school in August, no matter how excited they are to learn, they need some basic supplies to thrive. Providing supplies to students who may not otherwise be able to afford them sets the groundwork for success and puts education goals within reach.

3. Set a Goal 

People are more motivated to give when you set a goal that is challenging but attainable. You can set an overall goal for your entire drive or individual goals for different teams or specific members of your organization or family. 

4. Post Flyers 

Overview Flyer | 8.5 x 11

Overview Poster | 11 x 17

5. Identify and Decorate an Area to Collect Supplies and Donations 

Whether you have a designated table in the office or a fully decorated drop-off bin, your group can make collecting school supplies fun and engaging for everyone.  

 

6. Host a Virtual Supply Drive and We’ll Do the Shopping 

Maybe you don’t have space in your office or home to store supplies or don’t have time to go to school supply shopping. Don’t worry! You can host an online donation drive and have just as much impact. Send out this link and ask people to donate online with the click of a button! 

Set a donation goal with your group and earn a certificate from United Way of Salt Lake. 

Change a Life | $250 donation
Supply 10 children with a backpack and supplies.

Change a Class | $750 donation
Supply a community center with backpacks and supplies for 30 children.

Change a School | $2,500 donation
Supply 100 children with a backpack and supplies.

7. Incentivize 

Motivate people with some friendly competition. Whether it’s in the workplace and the prize is a little extra PTO, or at home and the winner gets to pick what’s for dinner, motivating people to participate can be a fun and effective way to bring in the school supplies. 

8. Drop off Supplies | July 17-20, 2023 

So, you’ve collected TONS of school supplies (or maybe just a few)! We appreciate every single item. Now it’s time to drop them off between July 17-20 from 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at:
 

 South Kearns Elementary 

Family Engagement Center  

5544 South 4385 West 

9. Help Count and Sort Your Donation 

This year, Stuff the Bus will run between July 17 – August 1. Volunteer shifts will be available for counting, sorting, and stuffing backpacks. Be sure to check the Stuff the Bus page – volunteer sign-ups will go live on June 20! 

 

Now-July 17 | Collect supplies  

July 17-20 | Counting and sorting supplies  

July 25-31 | Supply purchasing and drop-offs 

August 1 | Backpack stuffing event  

 

Thank you for your support and helping Utah kids succeed in school! 

Learn more about Stuff the Bus 2023 at uw.org/stuff-the-bus or contact Bri Butterfield at bri.butterfield@uw.org.