Stuff the Bus Campaign Extended Through Aug. 31

The 2022 Stuff the Bus school supplies drive, an effort to collect online donations to purchase school supplies for students in San Diego County experiencing homelessness, is being extended through Aug. 31. 

The effort, led by the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) and San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU), has raised more than $38,000 to date with a goal of $100,000. 

“We can’t thank the community enough for its support and generosity through the first month of this campaign,” said County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paul Gothold. “We recognize that times are tough right now for many people, and we are grateful to those that are able to donate to help this vulnerable population.”

More than 18,000 school-age children in San Diego County have been identified as homeless. SDCOE and SDCCU – along with iHeartMedia, and Ralphs and Food 4 Less grocery stores – aim to collect thousands of dollars in online and in-store donations to purchase much-needed pencils, pens, binders, crayons, backpacks, and more during the SDCCU Stuff the Bus campaign. A portion of donations will also assist San Diego Youth Services in providing meals for homeless youth through its various food programs.

The Stuff the Bus campaign will be collecting monetary donations online or in-store at any Ralphs or Food 4 Less grocery store in the county. Donations are welcome in any amount. Donations are welcome in any amount; for example, $20 will cover the cost of a backpack filled with supplies for an elementary-age student, while $25 will cover the cost of a backpack and supplies for a secondary-age student. More information is available at www.sdcoe.net/stuffthebus. 

In 2021, the Stuff the Bus campaign raised more than $100,000 in monetary donations to help purchase more than 7,900 backpacks filled with supplies for San Diego County students.