Stuff the Bus!
Back to school supplies program returns
Trending
HOUGHTON -- Once again this year, the Copper Country Angel Mission (CCAM) along with The Salvation Army (TSA) are teaming up to help eligible local families prepare for the upcoming school year by with the “Stuff the Bus” program. According to a press release, once again donations can be made at several locations including the Houghton Walmart. “A big beautiful bus, on loan to us from Lamers Bus Co. will be parked at Walmart,” the release said. The collection of back to school items will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. However donations can be dropped off at several locations in the Keweenaw through the month of August.
At the Stuff the Bus event, a list of needed items will be handed out to shoppers at the door. Those interested in donated are encouraged to pick up the items they want and then bring them to the bus where volunteers will do the “stuffing.” According to the CCAM website, among the school supplies needed are, backpacks, composition books, pencil/pen pouches, pens (black, blue and red), fine and large tip markers, spiral notebooks, pocket floders, erasers, colored pencils, blunt tip scissors, loose lined paper, three ring binders, school glue/glue sticks, highlighters and pointed school scissors. “We don’t need crayons or #2 pencils,” organizers said. According to the web site gently used clean backpacks are acceptable but the public is asked to avoid items decorated with pop culture images such as comic characters. According to the web site “Some kids love them others don’t. Neutral,, gender and imagery neutral are most useful for this program.”
Donations can also be dropped off at the Cooper Country Angel Mission in Calumet, Tue-Fri 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations may also be dropped off at The Salvation Army Bread of Life Center in Hancock, Mon – Fri 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Registration for eligible families began last week and will continue through Aug. 11. Eligibility guidelines will follow hot lunch program criteria … or by need. Electronic registration can be found at https://www.ccangelmission.org/ and paper registration forms are available at both CCAM and TSA.
Tentative distribution dates are 4 – 7 p.m. Aug. 21, and 10 a.m. – 2 pm. Aug. 22 at the Hancock Bread of Life Center. Distribution at the Copper Country Angel Mission will take place from 4 – 7 p.m. Aug. 28 and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Aug. 29.
The groups are also collecting Boys and girls underwear and socks sizes 4T through adult. Again, plain or solid color underware is the best choice.
In addition to the collectable items, volunteers are also needed to help make the program successful. Contact the volunteer coordinator at aquinn@mtu.edu