Stuff the Bus to help school kids

By Lethbridge Herald on August 19, 2025.

Alexandra Noad
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Back-to-school shopping is an exciting time for most parents of students, but with the cost of living rising each year, many parents are unable to afford new school supplies.

MyCityCare has partnered with Ready Set Go and the YMCA for the Stuff the Bus Campaign which will launch Aug. 21-22. It will provide backpacks and school supplies to help students have a successful year.

Tanya Lister, program and volunteer co-ordinator for MyCtyCare says there will be no criteria for people needing assistance.

“With all of our programs, there isn’t a qualifying process; if you’re needing, help we can help.”

Families interested in receiving a backpack through the Stuff the Bus program can register on MyCityCare’s website.

Along with providing kids the physical tools they need to succeed, there will also be a resource fair to help them find other tools they need.

Lister says they have seen a lot of generosity so far, but the need for donations is higher than it ever has been.

“We are definitely seeing a ton of generosity, which we really appreciate…. but also, we’ve seen our donations have been lower than ever this year.”

Lister says with the cost of living rising over the past year, she suspects those who have donated in previous years have been unable to donate as much this year.

Unused backpacks and school supplies such as pencil cases, washable markers, pencils and notebooks can be dropped off at MyCityCare Mondays through Thursdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and monetary donations can be made on their website.

Businesses such as Bootsma Bakery have also joined in accepting both physical and monetary donations as well.

Those who are unable to donate can volunteer to help by signing up on the MyCityCare website.

It is anticipated that 2,000 students from kindergarten through Grade 12 will be able to start the school year on the right foot thanks to the donated backpacks