MONTEREY COUNTY — As summer approaches, United Way Monterey County (UWMC) is once again preparing to help local students start the school year with confidence.
The organization recently launched its 16th annual Stuff the Bus campaign, a countywide effort that provides backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies to students experiencing housing instability across Monterey County.
A kickoff event, hosted by UWMC and the Monterey County Office of Education, was held May 18 at the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Re-Entry Resource Center in Salinas, where volunteers helped assemble hundreds of backpacks.
What began in 2010 as a local backpack drive has grown into one of Monterey County’s largest back-to-school community initiatives. In 2024 alone, more than 13,000 students in Monterey County were identified as experiencing homelessness or housing instability, highlighting the continued need for accessible school support for local families.
For many students, arriving at school with basic supplies can make a meaningful difference.
“When a child walks into school with a brand-new backpack, it’s not just about supplies, it’s about confidence. It’s about feeling like they belong on day one,” said Katy Castagna, president and CEO of UWMC. “Stuff the Bus is one way our community shows up for students who might otherwise start the year at a disadvantage.”
The campaign brings together businesses, nonprofits, schools, volunteers and local residents to help ensure students have the tools they need to learn and succeed. This year’s effort is supported by more than 15 community partners, including local businesses, financial institutions, healthcare organizations and public agencies.
While backpacks and school supplies are often seen as routine back-to-school items, many families facing housing instability must prioritize essentials like food, transportation and housing costs over classroom materials. Stuff the Bus helps ease some of that burden while helping students feel prepared and included as the school year begins.
United Way Monterey County is currently accepting financial donations to support the campaign. A donation of $25 helps provide one student with a backpack filled with grade-appropriate school supplies.
Community members interested in supporting local students can donate online at unitedwaymcca.org.
