The United Way of Southwest Minnesota (UWSWMN) is once again gearing up for its annual Stuff the Bus initiative— an effort that ensures K–12 students in our service area start the school year prepared, confident, and ready to learn.
Each summer, UWSWMN collects thousands of new school supplies and distributes them to schools across the region. In 2025, the initiative provided 48,000 school supplies to 23 local schools, helping students access the tools they need to succeed.
This year’s most requested supplies include collegeruled notebooks, folders, cap erasers, glue sticks, highlighters, and pink erasers.
“Stuff the Bus is one of our largest program initiatives, and it truly shows our community at its best — especially when people come together to support local kids. It unites businesses, volunteers, and donors with a simple goal of providing essential school supplies to kids in their neighborhood,” said Tanya Moat, Interim CEO of UWSWMN. “Businesses across our service area collect supplies, and volunteers count, sort, and organize thousands of items. It’s an incredible team effort.”
UWSWMN partners with businesses and organizations across our service area to host public dropoff sites. Collection bins are available in nearly every community with a local school, making it easy for donors to give wherever they live or work. For a complete list of 2026 dropoff locations, please visit: www.unitedwayswmn. org/STB Community members are invited to help sort, pack, and distribute supplies on July 31, Aug. 4, and Aug. 5. To reserve your volunteer shift and view full details, visit: www.unitedwayswmn. org/STB All participating schools within the UWSWMN service area will receive their school supplies on Aug. 5, 2026, with each school managing its own distribution process. Please contact your school district for more information.
“Stuff the Bus provides vital support to our region,” said Moat. “It eases the financial burden on parents with limited resources and helps more than 4,000 local students — kids and families who live right here — start the school year with fresh new school supplies, just like everyone else. For kids to experience their community investing in their academic success and wellbeing firsthand, it creates a powerful impact they won’t forget.”
Financial donations are welcome yearround and allow UWSWMN to purchase supplies in bulk at a lower cost.
• Mail checks to: United Way of SWMN, P.O. Box 41, Marshall, MN 56258 (note “Stuff the Bus” on the memo line)
• Donate online: www.unitedwayswmn. org/STB
