Stuff the Bus

What is Stuff the Bus?

Stuff the Bus is a countywide fundraising drive to provide new school supplies for students K-12th grade experiencing homelessness conditions or hardship in Monterey County. These students are living in shelters, motels, sheds, garages, cars, and other places that are not meant for human habitation. Other examples that fall under this definition:

• Sharing overcrowded housing because of economic hardship
• Living in motels, hotels, or campgrounds due to lack of alternative accommodations
• Living in emergency or transitional shelters
• Children and youth whose primary nighttime residence was not designed for human habitation (e.g. backyard tents, garages, park benches, etc.)
• Those living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations
• Migratory children and youth living in any of the above situations

Why Is Stuff the Bus Important?

In 2024, data from the Monterey County Office of Education indicates that there are nearly 13,000 local students experiencing homeless conditions or hardship. The number of students experiencing homelessness in Monterey County has significantly increased over the past 14 years. Stuff the Bus is more than just a backpack, it helps to ease the financial burden on families and gives children a boost of self-confidence. Stuff the Bus helps students start school equipped with the supplies they need to be ready to learn. Backpacks are distributed throughout the county via the Family Resource Centers located in each school district, in partnership with the Monterey County Office of Education. Read the FAQ's.