Albuquerque families and local businesses are being asked to help the city’s annual Stuff the Bus donation drive this Saturday morning. The event, co‑hosted by the City of Albuquerque and the UNM Foundation, seeks to fill a 40‑foot city bus with school supplies for students in Albuquerque Public Schools who lack the basics for a successful school year.
What donors are needed
Organizers are specifically requesting heavy‑duty backpacks—clear backpacks are preferred—along with notebooks, pens, pencils, and other classroom necessities. In addition, they are looking for locks for student lockers, a small but vital item that helps keep personal belongings safe.
How the drive will work
The collection will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday at the parking lot shared by Hinkle Fun Center and Flix Brewhouse on Indian School Road, just west of Tramway. Volunteers will sort donations on site, and once the bus is fully loaded, it will be delivered to APS schools throughout the city.
Community incentives
As a thank‑you, each donor will receive one movie pass for Flix Brewhouse and two golf passes for Hinkle Fun Center. The incentives are meant to encourage participation and show appreciation for the generosity of Albuquerque residents.
Past success and this year’s goal
Last year’s drive filled a Sun Van after contributions from more than 100 cars. This year, the organizers hope to surpass that achievement by loading an entire city bus from floor to ceiling. “We want to fill up this 40‑foot bus from front to back, from floor to ceiling,” said Madeline Skrak, public information officer for ABQ Ride. “We’ll try to do our best to accomplish that this year. It’ll hopefully be more donations than our Sun Van that we filled up last year.”
Why the drive matters
For many students, arriving at school without a functional backpack or basic writing tools can undermine confidence and hinder learning. “If you don’t have the right supplies, you might not feel confident or excited about going to school or worry that you might not have the right tools to be successful,” said Megan Lindstrom, executive project officer at the UNM Foundation. “By giving school supplies and having donation drives like this, we’re hoping to eliminate that and make sure that students are feeling confident.”
How to help
Anyone who wishes to contribute can drop off items at the designated parking lot during the three‑hour window. The city encourages families, churches, and local businesses to spread the word and bring donations, emphasizing that even a single backpack can make a difference for a child’s education.
Community members who cannot attend in person are invited to contact the ABQ Ride office for alternative drop‑off locations or to arrange a pickup. The partnership between the city and the UNM Foundation highlights a shared commitment to supporting Albuquerque’s youth and reinforcing the importance of parental and community involvement in education.
Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.
