United Way collected more than 18,000 school supplies and living essentials as part of its annual Stuff the Bus drive.
Over the past 15 years, United Way has built Stuff the Bus school supply drive into a citywide effort that provides supplies to local kids in need through nonprofits and Cascade County schools.
Supplies collected through community drives and from shoppers that day will be given to local kids through the public schools, area nonprofits and at the Back 2 School BLAST, which is a joint effort of Alliance for Youth, the Great Falls Rescue Mission, the GFPS Indian Education Department, United Way and local businesses to provide 2,000 backpacks, haircuts, sports physicals and more to Cascade County students.
This event is usually the first Thursday in August. Stay tuned for details about the 2025 event.
There are many ways to get involved:
Running a supply drive is easy. To have a barrel delivered to your workplace, call 406-727-3400 ext. 600.
Click these links to make your drive a success:
Volunteers are needed at all three buses on Aug. 8. We also need volunteers to help unstuff the buses and sort items on Aug. 9 at the Great Falls Public Schools district office, 400 11th Ave. S. Sign up for an hour or more.
To see what shifts are available see the links below:
- Northside Walmart -- Aug. 8, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Eastside Walmart -- Aug. 8, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Target -- Aug. 8, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Unstuff -- Aug. 9, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sponsor a student for $50 or give a donation of any size to help United Way buy needed supplies. Send checks to:
United Way of Cascade County/ Stuff the Bus
PO Box 1343
Great Falls, MT 59403
To donate online click here.