A calculator, pens, pencils, notebooks and binders are all basic necessities for success in the classroom, but for more than 8,200 students across Monterey County living in homeless or near homeless conditions, these essentials are out of reach.

To address that need, United Way Monterey County, the North Monterey County Unified School District and the Monterey County Office of Education are spearheading the popular backpack drive,  Stuff the Bus, to send every child to school fully equipped to succeed.

These families struggle not only to buy school supplies but also to buy uniforms, food and other essentials. New this year,  Stuff the Bus  will kick off with an early distribution of backpacks to kindergarten students participating in a United Way-funded Summer Bridge Pre-K. Attendees are children who have previously participated in center-based care and need to the boost to be prepared for success in kindergarten.

When:  Friday, June 23, 2017 • 11:00am-12:00pm        

 Where:

Castroville Elementary School, 11161 Merritt Street, Castroville

“This campaign fulfills a critical role. Having access to school supplies helps get students off on the right foot, and provides them with the confidence they need to succeed in school,” said Dr. Nancy Kotowski, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools.  

Present at the launch will be a mother whose children benefit from Stuff the Bus as well as other speakers prepared to talk about the critical need to provide school supplies to the large population of students living unsheltered, in a hotel/motel, temporary shelter, or doubled up in homes.    

“Students who are homeless face numerous obstacles,” said Katy Castagna, President and CEO of United Way Monterey County.” Thanks to our sponsors and the generosity of the community, we are able to prepare them for life-long success

in the classroom and our community.”  

Stuff the Bus  is also taking place in San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties.    

Donors can text “StuffBus to 313131” to give — $20 buys a fully stocked backpack!

Stuff the Bus  culminates on August 5, when volunteers will fill backpacks with donated school supplies and deliver them to the homeless liaisons at each school district in Monterey County for distribution.