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United Way of Salt Lake is focused on delivering positive results for kids and families. Since COVID, kindergarten readiness, third-grade reading, eighth-grade math, and high school graduation rates have all improved in the schools where we work. That’s all due in part to you and your generosity.
This is why community engagement opportunities like Stuff the Bus matter. Because of you, more than 10,000 students — enough to fill the Maverik Center — have started the school year with the supplies they need to focus on learning. It all adds up, and we’re so thankful for the donors and volunteers who helped make it happen.
Please keep reading to learn more, and thank you for your support!
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Patrick McIntyre
Chief Development & Communications Officer
United Way of Salt Lake |
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PROGRAM UPDATE
Stuff the Bus Provided School Supplies for 10,000+ Students
This summer, United Way of Salt Lake served more than 10,000 students through our 15th annual Stuff the Bus campaign. With the support of our generous sponsors, supply drive hosts, donors, and volunteers, we provided 8,554 backpacks and 110,655 individual school supplies to students from 30 schools and six nonprofits across the Wasatch Front. Almost 250 volunteers sorted supplies and stuffed backpacks with pencils, notebooks, folders, and other classroom essentials. Thank you to everyone who pitched in to ensure students are equipped with the tools they need to start the school year prepared and ready to learn. Read More > |
| “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.”
-Tyra Armstrong
Family Resource & Engagement Coordinator at Kearns Jr. High
Salt Lake County Afterschool Program
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DONOR SPOTLIGHT
O.C. Tanner: Supporting Education Through Giving
O.C. Tanner made a meaningful difference for local students and families by sponsoring Stuff the Bus. Their support means students have the tools they need to learn, teachers can focus on teaching, and families feel supported throughout this school year. Employees also demonstrated O.C. Tanner’s dedication to meaningful, hands-on engagement in the community by volunteering their time counting and sorting donated supplies.
Chavalah Washington, Safety & Wellness Leader at O.C. Tanner, said, “When we invest in education, we invest in the long-term strength of our communities. At O.C. Tanner, we believe that every child deserves a confident start to the school year, and programs like Stuff the Bus help make that possible. By equipping students with essential supplies, we’re helping create a foundation for learning, growth, and future success.”
O.C. Tanner sponsors United Way of Salt Lake’s Year of Action, funding multiple projects that ensure local kids and families have the resources to thrive. Through their ongoing financial support and employee volunteerism, O.C. Tanner is helping create meaningful, lasting change for students, families, and educators in our community. Their dedication sets a standard for corporate citizenship and demonstrates the powerful impact that consistent giving and hands-on involvement can achieve. |
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Edwards Lifesciences Makes a Difference for Utah Students
This summer, Edwards Lifesciences transformed generosity into action — involving their employees in volunteer efforts and raising more than $7,000 to support United Way of Salt Lake’s Stuff the Bus. For the third year in a row, Edwards Lifesciences designated their employee campaign donations and corporate match to provide 650 backpacks for local students, equipping them with the tools to succeed this school year.
Edward Lifesciences Foundation also funded and volunteered to assemble 1,160 kits for local schools and nonprofits. Volunteers prepared 300 full-size hygiene kits for Hillcrest High School’s Free Market and 400 maturation kits for South Kearns and West Kearns Elementary students — helping young learners navigate an important stage of growing up with dignity and support. They also packed more than 200 book kits for Sandy Elementary’s Book Blitz and 40 Kindergarten Readiness Kits filled with books and learning activities for families served by The Road Home, providing parents the resources to start a love of learning at home.
Edwards Lifesciences’ impact this summer reflects the incredible power of employee volunteerism. Edwards employees not only provided essential supplies but also demonstrated what it means to be true community partners. Their dedication is helping students and families feel supported, valued, and prepared for success both in the classroom and beyond. |
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ADVOCACY UPDATE
Happenings on the Hill
The Utah State Legislature was considering a special session this week, but has postponed it knowing they may have to convene to vote on new district maps. They met for Interim Committees on Tuesday. This was not their typical day because many of them headed to meetings with western state legislators at Council of State Governments West (CSG West) annual meeting that started yesterday.
On the federal side, Congress is struggling to pass appropriations bills necessary to ensure programs that support children and families continue to operate. They will most likely try to pass a short-term Continuing Resolution to fund the government while they negotiate final budget bills. The United Way of Salt Lake policy team will continue to monitor any decisions that are made that impact Utah kids and families, and keep you informed of any updates as they develop. |
Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
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Promise South Salt Lake Site Visit
October 9, 2025
See your community impact up close by joining us for a visit to the Promise South Salt Lake office.
Email alan.bodily@uw.org for more information. |
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Women United Annual Luncheon
November 6, 2025
Women United members are invited to attend our annual luncheon.
Email nicole.stevenson@uw.org for more information. |
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Giving Tuesday
December 2, 2025
Support United Way of Salt Lake on this global day of generosity.
Save the Date > |
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