Stuff the Bus
Sunshine Place’s annual Stuff the Bus program provides backpacks and school supplies to Sun Prairie students in need. This program is based in the belief that every child in our community deserves to start the school year with the basic necessities, regardless of their family’s financial situation.
NEW this year: in an effort to better serve those who use this program, we will be providing backpacks with supplies specific to elementary school students, and backpacks with supplies specific to middle/high schoolers. This decision was made based on feedback from recipients and school staff, as well as significant differences in Sun Prairie school supply lists for younger versus older students.
SUPPORT STUFF THE BUS
We could not do programs likes this without the community’s support. We need your help to serve 2,000 students this year!
Interested in helping kids in our community with the tools they need for school? There are several things you can do:
- Host a backpack drive within your group, neighborhood, or church. We need fun, themed backpacks for elementary-aged kids, as well as solid color, more sturdy backpacks for middle/high schoolers to carry around all of their books.
- Purchase new backpacks to donate on your own or through our Amazon Wish List.
- Make a financial donation to help cover the cost of supplies and backpacks.
- Participate in The Summer Kids Challenge to raise funds for Stuff the Bus and for the chance to win a year’s supply (12 pints) of Culver’s frozen Custard and a backpack full of fun prizes!
- Or a combination of any of the above!
**Please note, we are NOT accepting school supply donations from the community. We are able to get more supplies for less through our bulk suppliers, and we can be intentional about purchasing the supplies that Sun Prairie students need.
INFO FOR STUFF THE BUS PARTICIPANTS
Our goal is to provide your child(ren) with a backpack that will last them the school year, and SOME supplies that they can use. Stuff the Bus supplies will not cover your child’s entire school supply list. Stay tuned for specifics on what supplies to expect in elementary backpacks and middle/high school backpacks.
Backpacks and school supplies will be distributed to kids in mid-August. Information about distribution dates and locations will be sent out to families registered for free and reduced lunch through the Sun Prairie Area School District closer to that time.
For more information contact leticia@sunshineplace.org.
Summer Kids Challenge to Support Stuff the Bus
1. Come up with a way to support Stuff the Bus. This could be a fundraiser on your social media pages, a bake sale, a car wash, a lemonade stand, or even just collecting donations from friends and family (monetary or new backpacks are accepted). Feel free to be as creative as you like!
2. Take a picture of how you are raising funds. Post the picture to Facebook and tag Sunshine Place @SunshinePlaceSP.
3. Email your photo to socialmedia@sunshineplace.org with your name and contact information to enter the drawing. The deadline to submit your photo and be entered into the grand prize drawing will be announced soon, stay tuned! (*Please note, photos submitted may be used by Sunshine Place for current and future promotion of Sunshine Place and related programs).
4. Bring any donations you collect to Sunshine Place. Checks should be written out to Sunshine Place and mailed to us at P.O. Box 307, Sun Prairie, WI 53590. Please include “Summer Kids Challenge” in the memo line. Donations can also be made right here on our website.
6. STAY TUNED for the date the grand prize winner will be drawn and contacted, and for information about how all youth that completed the summer challenge can collect their free scoop token.
