MyCityCare is running a campaign in support of local students.
Ahead of the 2025-26 school year, the organization has announced the return of its ‘Stuff the Bus’ initiative. It allows you to donate backpacks and school supplies like pens, pencils, and binders for local youth. Monetary donations can also be made.
In 2024, 1,703 backpacks were distributed to 865 families, but Jade Warf, the Lethbridge Director for MyCityCare says despite that, the need for donations is still high for this summer’s initiative.
“We raise donations to outfit kids going back to school, so backpacks filled with all the essentials, all new items for them so when they start in September, they kind of start at the same level as everybody else, regardless of their home situation,” she says.
Warf adds the impact is “huge” for youth and families.
“Especially if you have multiple kids,” she notes. “Lots of the families registering have eight, nine, [or] 10 kids, so at $60 to $70 a child that really adds up if you’re not really planning ahead for it.”
Donations can be made at MyCityCare’s office at 1401 28 Street North or the Cor Van Raay YMCA on the west side of Lethbridge. Financial donations can be made through the MyCityCare website.
Warf says they are starting to pack backpacks this week.
“This year, we’re probably planning for about 2,000 kids so to pack 2,000 backpacks is a lot of work,” she says with a laugh. “Last year, we did over 500 volunteer hours and I’m sure it will be a little bit more this year.”
Warf adds that backpacks and supplies are gathered for kids of all school ages, with donations separated by grades and ages once they come in.
“Any donations really help, even if it’s just a couple packs of pencils,” she says.
REGISTRATION
Families looking to be a part of the program must register.
Registration can be done through the MyCityCare website.
READY, SET, GO!
The MyCityCare ‘Stuff the Bus’ campaign is part of the broader ‘Ready, Set, Go!’ initiative involving local school divisions and partners like the YMCA.
It provides free school supplies to students in need.
On August 20, the Cor Van Raay YMCA in Lethbridge will host MyCityCare and other local agencies. Families will be able to pick up their backpacks and check out over 25 agencies like the local food banks and Wood’s Homes to learn more about their family services.
Warf says they invite volunteers to join the initiative by getting involved in the big day. Anyone looking to help out can contact MyCityCare.
“The event is a very large event, so we have people that volunteer for cotton candy and snow cones and popcorn machines, and handing out backpacks and registration, so MyCityCare’s part is really big and then the YMCA has a whole team that comes and each agency [operates] their own booth,” she remarks.
“It’s a lot of volunteers that make the whole thing work.”
Backpacks will also be distributed the following day, August 21, at the MyCityCare office for families unable to attend the YMCA event.
“The two days are super fun for the families to come, so it makes a big impact,” Warf says.
“[It’s] like a festival, so there’s over 25 agencies this year. They offer free haircuts and MyCityCare does their clothing trailer, so they can get clothing and all sorts of games and stuff, we do a free BBQ … and the [YMCA] usually hands [out] free stuff.”
Warf says any families that cannot pick up backpacks on those two days can do so afterwards at the MyCityCare office.
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