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Annual campaign adds first-ever TK backpacks as nearly 2,900 local students face homelessness and housing insecurity
Before the first day of school arrives, United Way Santa Cruz County and the Santa Cruz County Office of Education are once again rallying the community to ensure every student has the tools they need to succeed.
Starting July 1, the 17th annual Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive invites residents, businesses and community organizations to help provide 2,500 backpacks filled with school supplies for students experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity and other hardships across Santa Cruz County.
This year marks a new milestone for the campaign: For the first time, Stuff the Bus will include smaller backpacks designed specifically for transitional kindergarten and early childhood students, helping meet the needs of some of the county’s youngest learners.
The need remains significant. According to the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, 2,866 students in grades TK through 12 experienced homelessness during the 2024-25 school year under the McKinney-Vento Act. That includes 2,322 students living doubled up with other families, 308 who were unsheltered, 171 living in shelters and 65 staying in hotels or motels.
“The first day of school should be a moment of excitement and belonging for every student,” said Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools Faris Sabbah. “For families facing homelessness, housing instability or other hardships, basic school supplies are one more financial burden. Stuff the Bus is one way our community shows students that they are seen, supported and ready to succeed.”
Organizers say that having a backpack stocked with notebooks, pencils and other essentials does more than prepare students academically — it helps them begin the year with confidence and dignity.
“A backpack filled with school supplies can help a student walk into class feeling prepared, confident and supported,” said United Way Santa Cruz County CEO Yvette Lopez Brooks. “Stuff the Bus reflects what is possible when our community comes together around children and families, and we are grateful for the donors, volunteers, sponsors and partners who make this campaign possible each year.”
Community members can support the effort in several ways, including making direct donations, sponsoring backpacks, organizing workplace supply drives or volunteering during the annual Stuff-A-Thon. A contribution of $30 provides one student with a fully stocked backpack.
The campaign culminates with the Stuff-A-Thon on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Kaiser Permanente Arena in downtown Santa Cruz. Volunteers of all ages will help fill thousands of backpacks that will be distributed to students and families throughout the county.
Held in partnership with the Santa Cruz Warriors and with support from UPS, the event brings together community volunteers, local businesses and nonprofit partners to ensure students across Santa Cruz County can begin the school year ready to learn.
The campaign is rooted in a simple idea: Every child deserves to start school with the materials they need to thrive. By coming together as a community, Santa Cruz County can help remove barriers to learning and create a stronger foundation for student success.
To donate, sponsor or volunteer, visit unitedwaysc.org/stb.
