Stuff the Bus brings over 250 backpacks for children starting school

In a few weeks, children in the Duluth Public School District will be on school buses for classes. Although there are some families who may not have everything ready for their children for the first day of school. However, a few non-profit organizations are looking to lend a hand through a Stuff the Bus event.

In the past few years, the supplies kids need have become more expensive, says Emily Burnside of the Boys & Girls Club of Northland. Although school runs like Stuff the Bus can be less stressful for families.

“School supply lists have changed tremendously over the years. So it becomes more and more difficult to adapt to the changing sphere of education. Rules like this just take a big burden off parents,” Burnside said. “When we can hand them a backpack and say, ‘It’s one less thing for you to think about this fall,’ they’re so grateful.”

The Stuff the Bus donation drive ended in Duluth on August 9th. Several youth-serving organizations in Duluth are coordinating where people can pick up needed supplies. Kelsey Gantzer with the Duluth Community School Collaborative says they bring school supplies during school open houses for families in need.

“They have their school supply list with them and they’re stressed about getting glue or a ruler. We can just say, ‘Got it, no worries,'” Gantzer said. “We also go to events like next Monday at Unity in our Bayfront community, there will be even more supplies.”

Over 250 backpacks were donated by people in the Duluth community. Along with more than 1,200 individual donated items, they will be distributed by various youth serving agencies. Lakes United Way Chief of Staff Sara Niemi says she’s still organizing other supply drives. Those teaching sites will help children in school districts located in Superior, Two Harbors and Ashland.

“The cost of school supplies is on the rise. You know, the burden has been put more on the teachers because they need to buy supplies?” Niemi said. “So hopefully, by being able to do things like this, we can reduce some of that burden. Give families the things they need to support their teachers and their children.”

For more information on Stuff the Bus Head of the Lakes United Way drop-off locations, you can read more here. Also, for other stories of kids going back to school, you can read more here.