Stuff the Bus Offers a Busload of Support for Students

DULUTH, Minn. — Students are getting a busload of support from local businesses and the public through the annual Stuff the Bus project.

The goal is to gather school supplies to ease the financial burden on families. Each year, they’re able to hand out hundreds of backpacks filled with supplies to students in need throughout the Northland. This year, one of their designated drop-off points is at Park State Bank in hopes of making the donation process more accessible.

“It helps support families, makes sure that there’s equity in what students have when they show up for the first day of school, and make sure that they can focus on what they’re doing and not what they do and don’t have when they start school, and I think it just takes the financial barrier of being able to supply what your children need to pull school off successfully,” said Sara Niemi, President of Head of Lakes United Way.

“It’s really cool to see that we have a tangible impact on the community with united way handing out hundreds of backpacks full of supplies, and it’s nice to know there’s like an impact,” said Miranda Folen, Marketing Intern at Park State Bank.

The United Way has a list of most-needed essentials for each school district on their website.