Stuff the Bus: Salvation Army Gears Up to Support Local Students with School Supply Drive
The Salvation Army of Manatee County is once again rallying the community to support students in need through its annual "Stuff the Bus" School Supply Drive. Taking place on Saturday, July 26, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Walmart on Ranch Lake Boulevard, this daylong event invites residents to donate essential school supplies to benefit children living at the organization’s shelter.
With the new school year just around the corner, the drive aims to provide local children with the tools they need to succeed in the classroom—everything from backpacks and notebooks to pencils and crayons. Volunteers and Salvation Army staff will be on-site accepting donations and sharing more about how these items directly impact the lives of local families.
For those unable to attend in person, donations can still be made by shopping the Walmart online registry. Every item purchased through the registry will be shipped directly to the Salvation Army for distribution to children preparing to return to school. Stuff the Bus Registry
This effort is just one of many ways the Salvation Army supports the Manatee County community—a mission it has upheld for nearly a century.
A Legacy of Service in Manatee County
The Salvation Army has been a cornerstone of compassion and stability in Manatee County since it established a local presence in the early 1920s. Initially providing basic needs like meals and shelter, the organization expanded its services over the decades to include case management, youth programs, spiritual care, and disaster relief.
In 1981, the Manatee County branch opened its Emergency Family Shelter, which continues to offer safe housing and support services to families in crisis. Throughout the years, the Salvation Army has also partnered with local schools, churches, businesses, and civic groups to address broader community needs such as hunger, homelessness, and disaster response.
Events like “Stuff the Bus” are an extension of the Army’s core mission—to meet human needs in Christ’s name without discrimination. By giving local students the confidence to start school prepared, the organization helps break the cycle of poverty and empowers families to build brighter futures.
To get involved or learn more, visit Salvation Army Manatee and support the cause that continues to make a difference, one backpack at a time.
