Stuff a Bus for Schools returns to Edmonton region to fill backpacks ahead of 2026 school year
Edmonton’s Stuff a Bus for Schools runs Aug. 3–28, 2026, with the City, Staples and United Way collecting backpacks and supplies; transit buses will gather donations Aug. 29.
Students-first back-to-school push begins Aug. 3
The Stuff a Bus for Schools campaign kicked off Aug. 3, 2026, aiming to supply children from lower-income families with essential school materials. The initiative, led by the City of Edmonton in partnership with Staples and the United Way of the Alberta Capital Region, runs through Aug. 28 and is designed to ensure students start the year prepared.
Organizers say the program builds on the long-running Stuff a Bus food drive and expands its focus this year to cover school supplies across the capital region. The campaign has a clear goal: fill backpacks with the tools students need for learning and remove a financial barrier for families.
Program expands to neighbouring municipalities
For 2026 the outreach extends beyond Edmonton to include Strathcona County, Spruce Grove and St. Albert. Municipal facilities in those communities will host donation boxes through Aug. 28, giving residents more convenient drop-off options close to home.
Officials describe the expansion as a response to demand from schools and social services across the region, citing the benefits of coordinated collection and distribution. That wider footprint also standardizes the donation process so families in smaller municipalities can access the same resources.
What donors should give and how donations are used
Organizers are asking for backpacks and basic supplies such as pencils, pens, erasers, binders, dividers, notebooks, duotangs, crayons, pencil crayons, highlighters, markers, scissors, glue sticks and rulers. Monetary donations are also accepted and enable United Way to purchase items to meet immediate needs and fill gaps in inventory.
Donations collected through the campaign are distributed to schools and community partners who identify students in need. United Way and municipal partners emphasize accountability in distribution to make sure supplies reach children before the first day of classes.
Where and when to drop off supplies
Donations can be left at participating Staples stores and at municipal facility collection boxes in Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove and St. Albert until Aug. 28. Additionally, monetary contributions may be made through the United Way’s All in for Youth portal to support targeted purchases for students.
On Aug. 29, 2026, Edmonton Transit Service and local transit buses will be stationed outside select Staples locations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to collect donated supplies directly. United Way volunteers will also be on site at the Edmonton locations to accept debit, credit and cash donations.
Staples locations hosting transit bus drop-offs on Aug. 29
Edmonton locations where transit buses will collect donations include Unity Square (11812 104 Ave. NW), Strathcona (6510 Gateway Blvd. NW), Skyview (13154 137 Ave. NW), Edmonton North (13118 50 St. NW), Terra Losa (9580 170 St. NW), South Edmonton Common (1960 101 St. NW), Windermere (6276 Currents Dr. NW) and Whitemud (2012 38 Ave. NW).
Outside Edmonton, the Sherwood Park store at 390 Baseline Road, the Spruce Grove location at 70 McLeod Ave., and the St. Albert Staples at 445 St. Albert Trail will also take part in collection activities tied to the campaign. Donors are encouraged to check local store hours before visiting.
Partners and volunteer roles in the campaign
The City of Edmonton coordinates municipal collection points and distribution logistics while Staples provides retail locations for public donation drop-offs. The United Way of the Alberta Capital Region manages volunteer collection teams and routes donations to partners that work directly with families and schools.
Volunteers play a central role in sorting and packing supplies so they can be distributed efficiently to classrooms and community programs. United Way staff and partner agencies vet recipient lists to prioritize the most vulnerable children and to align donations with school-specific needs.
Community impact and local response
Past iterations of Stuff a Bus and similar campaigns have helped thousands of students by relieving household expenses at the start of the school year. Organizers say the combined effort of municipal resources, corporate partners and community donors maximizes reach and reduces duplication across neighbourhoods.
Schools and social service agencies report that receiving backpacks stocked with supplies improves student confidence and readiness to learn. Local leaders are urging residents and businesses to contribute early so materials can be sorted and distributed in time for the first day of classes.
The campaign runs through Aug. 28, with transit bus collection events at Staples on Aug. 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and donations may be made online through United Way’s All in for Youth portal or at any participating drop-off location.
