For Immediate Release – June 30, 2025
Contact: Tari Jahns, CEO, 715-421-0390
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI – Community members, we need your help!
STUFF THE BUS
Community members are encouraged to bring donations of new school supplies to the Stuff the Bus collection event during Lunch by the River at Veteran’s Park between 11:30am-1:00pm on August 7, 2025. Monetary donations are also accepted. Donations ensure all south Wood County students with a financial need, 4K through 12th grade, can start the school year with the supplies they need. From pencils to backpacks, every item makes a difference!
Most needed items:
- Backpacks
- Notebooks (plain colors)
- Folders (plain colors)
- Markers
- Glue Sticks
- Scissors
- Colored Pencils
- Monetary Donations
Donations can also be dropped off before August 7th at any of the following collection sites:
4U Adult Day Service
Anytime Fitness Wisconsin Rapids
Associated Bank
DNL Recreation Inc.
First English Lutheran Church
Heart of Wisconsin
Paper City Savings Bank
South Wood County YMCA
St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church & School
Town of Rome
WFHR & WIRI Radio Stations/Civic Media Inc.
Wood County Clerk’s Office
United Way of South Wood & Adams Counties
STUFF THE DESK
All south Wood County students with a financial need are eligible to receive free school supplies from Stuff the Desk; registration is required, must register by August 1, 2025. Register online at www.uwswac.org, or dial 2-1-1 (or 877-947-2211) Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm, to register over the phone. Registered students will receive a reminder mailing with instructions for pick up at East Junior High School during designated pick up times on Friday, August 15 and Saturday, August 16, 2025.
Volunteer from south Wood County holding donated supplies for 2024 Stuff the Bus event.
About the Stuff the Bus/Stuff the Desk Committee
Stuff the Bus is a collaborative effort of several local non-profit, government, and school agencies. Every year, the Stuff the Bus/Stuff the Desk Committee asks the community to stuff a school bus with donations of school supplies. The event is held during Lunch by the River. Later, the donated school supplies are distributed to local students in need during the Stuff the Desk event. All families who are in financial need are eligible.