Students are heading back to school ready to learn thanks to SDCCU Stuff the Bus
Stuff the Bus collected money to purchase over 9,147 filled backpacks and 220,290 school supplies for students experiencing homelessness
SAN DIEGO, CA (September 12, 2023) — SDCCU® Stuff the Bus reached its goal and collected a total of $103,102 which was used to fill 9,147 backpacks and purchase over 220,000 school supplies to better prepare students for success as they head back to school this year. This year’s school supply drive, which was held in partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) and iHeartMedia radio stations, encouraged supporters to make monetary donations online, in-branch at any SDCCU location or in-store at any Jersey Mike’s location in San Diego County.
“We are so grateful to all the generous donors who help make this school supply drive successful each year,” said SDCCU President and CEO Teresa Campbell. “The ongoing support of our community enables us to meet the needs of thousands of students experiencing homelessness throughout San Diego, Orange and Riverside counties. The supplies purchased through the donations collected in this year’s drive will allow the students to return to school this fall ready to learn.”
Monetary donations were accepted at SDCCU branches, San Diego Jersey Mike’s locations and online through July 31. The amount donated by the community for SDCCU Stuff the Bus exceeded the $100,000 goal.
“Making sure that our students experiencing homelessness have the school supplies they need to participate on the first day of school is critical,” said County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paul Gothold. “I’m so grateful to the San Diego County community and everyone who donated for their willingness to take action and support our students. We appreciate you!”
SDCCU Stuff the Bus benefits students in San Diego County experiencing homelessness, with supplies going to 34 school districts and 31 charter schools. According to SDCOE, more than 20,000 school-age children were identified as homeless during the last school year. Homelessness can mean living in a shelter, sharing a residence with whole families, living in a car or trailer or sharing a room in an apartment with relatives. Homelessness is not limited to urban, downtown San Diego — it also affects suburban school districts all over the county.
“I am so grateful for the generosity of San Diego this year, and all our partners and supporters,” said Susie Terry, SDCOE’s Coordinator, Homeless Education Services. “We were able to give more backpacks and supplies this year than any other year, and it is going to make such a difference for those students and families.”
In addition to helping students in San Diego County, the Stuff the Bus campaign reached both Orange and Riverside counties through our partnership with The Angels Baseball Foundation. Online and in-branch donations were collected through July 31 and totaled $6,600, which helped purchase school supplies that were distributed to students at the Angels Baseball Foundation Back 2 School Event on August 1.
SDCCU Stuff the Bus aligns with the Live Well San Diego initiative. SDCCU, San Diego’s largest locally-owned financial institution, SDCOE and iHeartMedia are proud Live Well San Diego partners. The County Board of Supervisors launched Live Well San Diego in 2010 with the goal of achieving healthy, safe and thriving communities across the region by partnering with community and city leaders, schools, businesses, non-profit organizations and residents.
About San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU)
SDCCU is one of the nation’s top credit unions and ranked a top five credit union in California by Forbes. SDCCU proudly serves the financial needs of customers in Southern California counties including Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura. SDCCU has assets of over $13 billion, more than 437,000 customers, over 40 convenient branch locations and 30,000 surcharge-FREE ATMs. SDCCU provides breakthrough banking products that meet the demands of today’s lifestyle and delivers banking services that save customers money. SDCCU is leading the way, offering FREE Checking with eStatements, SDCCU mobile banking, mortgage loans, auto loans, Visa® credit cards and business banking services. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Opportunity. Membership required. NMLS #580585. For more information, visit sdccu.com.
