United Way of San Benito County wants all children in San Benito County to start the school year off with everything they need to succeed. Now in its third year, United Way’s “Stuff the Bus” project collects backpacks, school supplies and donations to help low-income and homeless children around the County be prepared for school. The supplies are then distributed through the San Benito County Office of Education. Last year, this event brought in more than 700 backpacks filled with school supplies. This year United Way has a goal of 1,000 filled backpacks this year.
The San Benito County Office of Education estimates there are 500 children in our county classified as homeless or in transition. They are living with their families in shelters or motels – or their families have lost their homes and have moved in with relatives or friends. Help us send our neediest students back to school ready to learn.
On July 20, the Hollister City Council, by proclamation, declared July 1 through Aug. 8 as “Stuff the Bus” Month, to encourage residents to contribute to this worthwhile United Way Initiative. The city is recognized the importance of all local youth having backpacks and school supplies to begin the school year prepared and ready to learn.
“It’s a great program,” said Mayor Ignacio Velazquez.
Organizer Vicki Fortino told the council that the effort’s goal of filling 1,000 backpacks “is huge, but we’re close.”
County Superintendent of Schools Krystal Lomanto said that volunteers on Aug. 8 will be stuffing a bus in the Target parking lot with the backpacks and donated school supplies. That way, students will have the backpacks before the start of school.
“It’s a fun event,” said Lomanto. “Very heartwarming because many of our students can’t afford the backpack full of supplies. It’s an important endeavor. We encouarge everyone to join us and donate.”
Community members are encouraged to donate new school supplies at Heritage Bank, Rabobank, San Juan Bautista Visitor’s Center, Target, United Way Office, Wells Fargo Bank and the YMCA. Look for the yellow school buses.
To learn more including locations of collection buses, list of needed items, to volunteer, or donate online, visit www.unitedwaysbc.org.
Premiere Sponsors of the effort are GoKids,Inc., Pacific Scientific and Rabobank. Gold Sponsors are California Mutual Ins. Co., Brent Redmond Transportation, Rotary Club of Hollister, Senator Anthony Cannella, and Diane and Larry Barr. At the Silver Level are Ed & Margie Barrios, Susan & Anthony Botelho, Dassell’s Petroleum, Marilyn Ferreira/Intero Real Estate, Karen Fink/Remax Properties, Phil & Vicki Fortino, Jim Fosdick/State Farm Insurance, Graniterock, Greenwood Chevrolet, Heritage Bank, Hollister Collision, Hollister Super, Krystal Lomanto, Jerry Muenzer, Richard W. Shelton Insurance, Teknova, Tiffany Motor Company, True Leaf Farms, American Legion Post 69 and Union Bank. Bronze Sponsors are ANSR Pharmacy, Anytime Fitness, Calera Wine Co., Frank & Melinda Casillas, Country Rose Café, David Baumgartner/Intero Real Estate, Dennis’ Body Shop, Dino’s Construction, Inc. Edward Jones/Mark Vivian, Hogue Bros. Collision Center, Janice Wagy, Kristi Ellington Financial, Krystal Lomanto, Kunz Team/Intero Real Estate, Mark Nicholson Construction, Nino Real Estate, Breger Chiropractic, Bill & Mary Damm, Ewired Solutions Inc., Kurt & Marlene Mead, and Sylvia & Tony Jaime.
United Way is still accepting corporate sponsorships and filled backpacks that will go toward the goal. Visit the website www.unitedwaysbc.org to sponsor or donate.