On Tuesday, June 21 — the longest day of the year — United Way of Ventura County will launch its second annual “Stuff the Bus” campaign which is part of its Day of Action, the organization reported in a media release. United Way is asking the community to stop by participating libraries* located throughout Ventura County from June 21 – July 21 to donate new school supplies inside yellow, pop-up school bus bins. . The backpacks and school supplies will go to benefit children from low income families, living in shelters, or foster care.
In addition to the donation of school supplies, individuals can also make monetary donations to “Stuff the Bus” which will be used to purchase backpacks and additional school supplies. To make a minimum $10 online donation, visit www.vcunitedway.org or to make a text-to-give $10 donation, simply text the keyword UWVC to 27722. Standard message and data rates apply.
Day of Action was created in 2008 by United Way Worldwide as an opportunity for local United Ways across the country to declare their intention to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways by mobilizing people around a common goal: Advancing the Common Good. With more daylight hours than any other, June 21st is the perfect day and way to show, by example, what it means to LIVE UNITED.
“The ‘Stuff the Bus’ campaign is a great opportunity to show that everyone can make a difference to help advance the common good in the area of education which is part of United Way’s three pillar approach which also includes income and health,” said Susan Englund, United Way’s Vice President of Community Impact.
There will also be an opportunity for individuals wanting to volunteer to sort and stuff 300+ backpacks with the donated school supplies. Please visit www.VolunteerVenturaCounty.org to sign up for this volunteer opportunity.
For more information about Stuff the Bus/Day of Action, please call 805.485-6288, ext. 245 or email info@vcunitedway.org
* Participating libraries:
Camarillo: 4101 Las Posas Road
Oxnard: Main Library @ 251 South A Street AND South Oxnard Library @ 4300 Saviers Road
Ventura: Foster Library @ 651 E. Main Street
Port Hueneme: Pruetter Library @ 510 Park Avenue
Simi Valley: 2969 Tapo Canyon Road
Santa Paula: Blanchard Library @ 119 North 8th Street
Thousand Oaks: 1401 East Janns Road
Newbury Park: 2331 Borchard Road
Moorpark: 699 Moorpark Avenue
Types of school supplies needed:
Backpacks
School binders (all sizes)
Spiral ring notebooks
3-ring paper (College and Wide Ruled)
Book covers
Homework folders
Subject dividers
Scientific calculators-preferably solar
Graphing calculators- new or used
Pencil boxes or pouches
Crayons and markers
Colored pencils; pens
Pencil sharpeners
Erasers (assorted colors, shapes and sizes)
Flash cards (Multiplication & Division)
USB Flash Drives
Mini staplers and staples
Mechanical pencils and lead
Scissors
Arts and crafts materials
Click here for the full media release