Stuff the Bus
Stuff the Bus 2026
For 16 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. As one of our signature Year of Action events, Stuff the Bus unites our community to fulfill requests for backpacks and supplies for over thirty schools across four districts in Davis and Salt Lake County.
Help Every Student Start the School Year Equipped to Learn
According to the National Education Association (NEA), costs for basic educational supplies increased by an average of 7.3 percent from the 2024-25 school year to 2025-26, placing an additional financial burden on families and teachers. The NEA also estimates that teachers spend an average of $500-$900 of their own money on supplies for their students.
This year, we have close to 6,000 requests for backpacks, and we’ve also seen the need for extra supplies increase dramatically. Join us in supporting the 16th year of Stuff the Bus and help meet this need for students in our community.
How You Can Help
To fulfill requests, we need 6,000 backpacks and 109,476 individual school supplies—including 18,400 pencils, 4,609 packs of crayons,10,670 glue sticks, and more! We have been listening to feedback from schools and are providing higher-quality backpacks this year to meet the needs of students from elementary to high school. Help us cover the cost of 6,000 backpacks and thousands of wholesale supplies for kids and classrooms!
Donate
Let us do the shopping for you! We have a $100,000 fundraising goal which will be used to fill requests from local schools. With direct donations, United Way of Salt Lake can maximize your impact by ordering the most needed school supplies in bulk.
Host a Supply Drive
Community supply drives provide tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of supplies that make it possible to serve over 10,000 students every year. Now through August 3, get your neighbors, families, or office together to collect school supplies for kids! Register your supply drive today, and we will send you lists, flyers, and tips to make hosting easy. We can even create custom fundraising pages for your company or community group.
Volunteer
Sign up to organize and pack 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 at 9 a.m. on Monday, July 6! Last year, shifts filled in less than 24 hours, so mark your calendars!
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!
2026 Stuff the Bus Events Timeline
- Supply Drives | Now through August 3
- Supply Drive Drop-off | August 3-4
- Counting & Sorting Volunteer Shifts | August 4-5
- Backpack Stuffing | August 6
- Pick-Up & Delivery Support | August 7
“These backpacks are so appreciated by the community – both parents and school. It is always a welcoming gesture to offer students for the first day of school – or the first day of a new school for a transitioning student – a backpack with supplies. Thank you to UWSL donors for prioritizing, organizing and supplying this event!”
– Shelley McCall, Community School Facilitator, East Midvale Elementary
– Ashley McKinney, Principal, Glendale Middle School
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.
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!
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
Thanks to Our Generous Supporters
Presenting Sponsors
Education Partners
Adopt-a-School Partners
