Residents encouraged to stuff the bus today at YMCA

By Steffanie Costigan - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on June 23, 2023.

School may be just about over for the summer for most students, but the Cor Van Raay YMCA still wants to stuff a bus, just not with students.

The YMCA is inviting the public to to support the Stuff the Bus campaign, which collects backpacks, school supplies, clothing and food for families that may be struggling financially.

“For those families that are maybe struggling to put food on the table, that’s one less thing that they have to worry about, says Arnaud Sparks, education manager at the YMCA. “It gives their kids a chance to succeed in school.”

Residents can Stuff the Bus from 4-7 p.m. today at the westside YMCA, and everyone who donates will receive free admission to the facility during the same time to enjoy various activities and events.

“It’s an opportunity to give back to those who maybe aren’t as fortunate as us,” Sparks says. “It’s an opportunity, just a small part, to contribute to something that’s much larger, even just by donating, you know, a new pack of pencils. What you’re doing is you’re making sure that a child who maybe isn’t able to afford pencils for the school year gets pencils next school year, and that’s a huge thing.”

Sparks said Stuff the Bus was originally overseen by schools, but COVID-19 prevented schools from continuing the program. It was then taken over by MyCityCare Lethbridge and the YMCA.

“MyCityCare and the YMCA picked up the program. Then because we think it’s a really important program, it had to continue. I think a lot of families really depend on this program to get the supplies they need.”

In last year’s campaign, 1,500 children received backpacks filled with the school supplies they needed. Sparks said the school districts are still involved, and they identify the families who are in need of the supplies.

“Now it’s kind of in our hands, as well, as we’re still partnering with the school districts because, at the end of the day, they know which families need the help.”

The YMCA will also host the Ready Set Go, Stuff the Bus event on Aug. 22. CASA will host the event on Aug. 23, followed by an event at the Rotary Picnic Square on Aug. 24.

“The other thing that I’d like to point out is you don’t have to be low-income to attend the Ready Set Go event in August. Anyone can attend. There’s gonna be some great community resources there.”

Donations will be accepted until the first week of August. Those who wish to donate funds can do so through MyCityCare website.