I often think about a new fresh box of crayons. I think of how good it feels to pull open the top and stare at the finely sharpened crayons. The possibilities of what I can create with them are endless. I can hardly wait to get started and use them. Even when they are used or well loved, I will remember what I created with them. Maybe a special picture for my grandmother or a birthday card for my friend.

This year, we will distribute at least 492 boxes of crayons to local children. It’s pretty amazing what a simple box of new crayons can do for a local student.

Our annual Stuff the Bus initiative is in full swing with donation drop-off sites throughout our service area and local workplaces holding internal drives to raise supplies. It’s inspiring to see it all come together on distribution day with numerous volunteers on-site and working together for a common goal. It’s a pretty simple thing that we’re doing, collecting and distributing school supplies, but the impact reaches further than what we can see.

Once the supplies are collected, they will be distributed to participating schools within the UWSWMN service area. In 2020, 52,075 school supplies were distributed to 3,800 students at 23 local school schools.  Each school determines their own distribution process to ensure the supplies reach students who need them.

Supplies will be sorted and distributed on Aug. 4, and those in need of supplies should contact their respective school district beginning on August 5th for details regarding distribution.

Do you want to be a part of inspiring students to be creative and prepared for school?

If so, visit our website at www.unitedwayswmn.org/STB for a list of supplies needed, supply drop off locations throughout our service area or to make a secure donation with a credit card. Checks can be mailed to: United Way of SWMN, P.O. Box 41, Marshall, MN 56258. Please note “Stuff the Bus” on the memo line. Financial donations are accepted year round for this initiative and allow us to purchase school supplies in bulk at a low cost.

For more information about your local United Way, please visit www.unitedwayswmn.org.

— Sarah Kicmal is president and CEO of United Way of Southwest Minnesota