Stuff the Bus Campaign Raises $117,000 to Purchase School Supplies for Students Experiencing Homelessness

For the second consecutive year, the Stuff the Bus school supplies drive exceeded its goal of raising $100,000 by collecting $117,353 online and at participating Jersey Mike’s locations around the county to purchase school supplies for students experiencing homelessness. It’s the 11th year that the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) and San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU) have partnered on Stuff the Bus. 

Monetary donations were gathered to purchase backpacks filled with school supplies during the five-week campaign coordinated by SDCOE and SDCCU, in partnership with iHeartMedia radio stations. The campaign filled 8,850 backpacks, which included more than 217,000 individual supplies as well as hygiene kits. More than 23,000 school-age children were identified as homeless during the 2023-24 school year. 

“We are so grateful to the San Diego community and everyone who donated to this incredible campaign, which goes directly to helping students feel like they belong, right from the start,” said Dr. Gloria E. Ciriza, San Diego County superintendent of schools. “Thank you to everyone who donated, and to Jersey Mike’s and SDCCU for their continued support. Every donation makes a big impact on the lives of our students and their families.”

Donations received helped to fill all of the requests that were received by SDCOE’s Homeless Education Services, which came from 25 school districts and 29 charter schools. 

“I have three kids so going to buy backpacks and looking for school supplies is a lot. Receiving backpacks is a stress reliever so I’m grateful,” said Brenda, a parent in South County. “The fact that it has school supplies is even better. So now they are ready to start school. And it’s even better for the teachers,” she said.  

Homelessness affects students from across San Diego County, and for school-age children, can mean living in a shelter, living in a car or trailer, or sharing a residence with other families. Research has shown that the lack of a high school diploma or equivalent is the single greatest risk factor for future homelessness. Providing them with backpacks full of supplies is just one way the community can help them to stay in school.

“We are so thankful for the outpouring of generosity from our community and everyone who helped make this year’s school supply drive a success,” said SDCCU President and CEO Teresa Campbell. “Your continued support allows us to provide thousands of students across San Diego with the tools they need to start the school year confident and ready to learn. We also wanted to thank our incredible partners at Jersey Mike’s who provide support for the important cause year after year.”

In 2024, the Stuff the Bus campaign raised $111,000 in monetary donations to help purchase more than 8,900 backpacks filled with supplies for San Diego County students.