Every child deserves to walk into school feeling prepared, confident, and ready to learn.

Yet for thousands of families across Santa Cruz County, the cost of backpacks, notebooks, pencils, calculators, and other basic school supplies creates a real financial burden. As housing costs, groceries, and everyday expenses continue to rise, many parents are forced to make impossible choices between paying bills and purchasing the supplies their children need to succeed in school.

That is why United Way Santa Cruz County, in partnership with the Santa Cruz County Office of Education and the Santa Cruz Warriors, has come together.

On August 1, 2026, our community will come together to stuff more than 2,500 backpacks with essential school supplies. These backpacks do more than carry notebooks and pencils. They carry confidence, dignity, and opportunity.

When a student starts the school year with the tools they need, they are more likely to participate in class, stay engaged in learning, and feel a sense of belonging alongside their peers. For parents, receiving a backpack means one less financial worry and the reassurance that their child can begin the school year on equal footing.

A gift of just $30 provides one student with a fully stocked backpack. Every donation, large or small, helps ensure that local children can start the school year ready to thrive.

Together, we can fill backpacks, ease financial stress for families, and show our students that their community believes in them.

Join us in Stuffing the Bus and helping Santa Cruz County students start the school year strong.

SCCOE Stuff the Bus Donation Page

Stuff the Bus