On July 25th, Stuff the Bus collected school supplies outside local Walmarts, raising nearly $77,000 in funds and supplies to help students in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties receive the tools they need for the upcoming school year.
"The incredible support we received from our community for Stuff the Bus is a testament to the power of coming together to support our students," said Laura Gilliam, President and CEO of United Way of West Florida. "With the generosity of our donors, sponsors, and partners, we are ensuring that children across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties have the resources they need to succeed in the classroom."
This year's Stuff the Bus event had 424 volunteers from Escambia and Santa Rosa County helping to raise supplies and sort items to be distributed amongst the schools. Volunteers donated a total of 990 hours for a total dollar impact of $31,241. The event raised nearly $32,000 and the total value of school supplies was over $45,000, making the final total nearly $77,000 for 2024.
United Way of West Florida partners with Escambia County Public Schools, Santa Rosa County District Schools, Cat Country 98.7, NewsRadio 92.3, Pensacola News Journal, and WEAR Cares to implement Stuff the Bus.
"We are so thankful to the United Way of West Florida for their hard work and support during the annual Stuff the Bus Event," said Dr. Karen Barber, Superintendent of Santa Rosa County School District. "The generosity and support of our community has made a significant impact, ensuring that our students have the supplies they need and are well-equipped for a successful school year ahead."
Parents who need supplies for their students should reach out to their child’s school in either county for more information on the distribution of supplies. The process may vary based on the district and the school.
"Ensuring that every student has the necessary tools to learn is critical," said Keith Leonard, Escambia County Public Schools Superintendent. "Stuff the Bus plays a vital role in helping us achieve that goal, and we deeply appreciate the community's involvement."
Stuff the Bus would not be possible without the generosity of local businesses who sponsor the event. This year’s sponsors were:
Valedictorian Sponsors
HCA Florida West Hospital
Navy Federal
Publix
Santa Rosa Energy Company
Salutatorian Sponsors
Ascend Cares Foundation
Florida Power & Light Company
Summa Cum Laude Sponsors
Anderson Subaru
International Paper
Krewe of Daisy Dukes
For more information about "Stuff the Bus" and how to get involved next year, please visit www.uwwf.org/STB or contact Julia Helton, Community Impact Senior Manager at (850) 912-8177 or Julia.helton@uwwf.org.