Stuff the Bus

We Provided School Supplies for 10,000 Utah Students

For 15 years, United Way of Salt Lake’s Stuff the Bus campaign has mobilized communities and businesses to provide backpacks and school supplies so Utah students can start the new school year prepared and ready to learn.

In 2025, Stuff the Bus raised over $71,000 to provide over 8,554 backpacks and more than 110,000 individual school supplies. Almost 250 volunteers rolled up their sleeves to count and sort donated supplies and stuff backpacks with pencils, notebooks, folders, and more! These backpacks and school supplies will be distributed to 10,000 Utah students in 30 schools and six nonprofit organizations across four school districts in Davis and Salt Lake Counties.

Here’s a breakdown of the school supplies distributed for Stuff the Bus 2025:

“Thanks to ‘Stuff the Bus,’ we empower families and equip children with the tools they need to thrive in school. These supplies lay the foundation for academic success and ignite a passion for learning. I remember a moment during our 6th-grade orientation when I handed out backpacks; a little girl was overjoyed to receive one. Her face lit up with excitement as she unzipped it to reveal a treasure trove of school supplies. Her mother’s face was a mix of joy and relief, knowing she wouldn’t have to stretch her limited budget for these essentials. This was a priceless reminder of the difference we can make.”

-Tyra Armstrong, Kearns Jr. High Family Resource & Engagement Coordinator, Salt Lake County Youth Services

How You Can Help

Donate

We have a fundraising goal of $75,000 which will be used to purchase school supplies and backpacks for students. With direct donations, UWSL can maximize your impact by ordering the most needed school supplies in bulk.

Make a Donation

Host a Supply Drive

Now through July 29, get your friends, families, or office together to collect school supplies for kids! Register today and we will send you all the details to make hosting a supply drive easy. We can even create custom fundraising pages for your company or community group.

Volunteer

Sign up to count and sort donated school supplies or help us stuff backpacks with supplies. With your help, we will make sure thousands of backpacks are stocked and ready for distribution to schools and nonprofits across the valley. Stuff the Bus volunteer registration will open June 25!

Find Opportunities

Spread the Word

Spread the word about the impact your support is making for Utah students and families. Share our fundraising link or post about your own supply drive. Make sure you’re following United Way of Salt Lake on social media and don’t forget to tag us in your posts!

2025 Stuff the Bus Events Timeline

Supply Drives | Now through July 29
Counting & Sorting Volunteer Shifts | July 29 – 30
Backpack Stuffing | July 31
Pick-Up & Delivery Support | August 1