United Way of Pioneer Valley’s Stuff the Bus Program Supports Homeless Children
SPRINGFIELD — United Way of Pioneer Valley announced its 2025 Stuff the Bus school supply drive. The organizaion is reaching out to the community for support in its mission to provide essential school supplies to area homeless children, starting July 23.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to start the school year prepared and excited to learn. However, for homeless children, this can be a significant challenge,” said Megan Moynihan, president and CEO of United Way of Pioneer Valley. “We would not be able to do this without the generous support of Peter Pan Bus Lines. Every year, they provide a bus and driver to deliver the backpacks to all districts in need.
Needed items include elementary age backpacks (boys & girls), middle and high school age backpacks (gender neutral), composition books, elementary age scissors, glue sticks, index cards, markers, Post-it notes, and 12-inch rulers, as well as classroom supplies for teachers, such as paper towels, hand sanitizer, and dry erase makers.
Supplies may be dropped off at any of the following locations from July 23 through Aug. 6:
• AAA Northeast, 150 Capital Dr., West Springfield;
• AAA Northeast, 1891 Wilbraham Road, Springfield;
• Balise Chevy Buick GMC, 440 Hall of Fame Ave., Springfield;
• Balise Ford of Wilbraham, 1979 Boston Road, Wilbraham;
• Balise Honda West Springfield, 400 Riverdale St., West Springfield;
• Balise Hyundai, 683 East Columbus Ave., Springfield;
• Balise Kia, 635 Riverdale St., West Springfield;
• Balise Lexus, 1385 Riverdale St., West Springfield;
• Balise Mazda, 733 East Columbus Ave., Springfield;
• Balise Nissan of West Springfield, 500 Riverdale St., West Springfield;
• Balise Ready Credit, 693 East Columbus Ave., Springfield;
• Balise Toyota, 1399 Riverdale St., West Springfield;
• East Coast Tile, 8 Stony Brook St., Ludlow;
• Peter Pan Bus Lines, Springfield Union Station (ticket counter);
• United Way of Pioneer Valley, 1441 Main St., Suite 137, Springfield; and
• Western Mass News, 1300 Liberty St., Springfield.
To learn more about sponsoring the Stuff the Bus program, email Jessica Prokop at jprokop@uwpv.org.