Stuff the Bus collected money to purchase over 8,909 filled backpacks and 215,915 school supplies for students experiencing homelessness

SAN DIEGO, Calif., (September 11, 2024) — SDCCU® Stuff the Bus collected a total of $111,069 in San Diego County, exceeded its goal of $100,000 and was used to fill 8,909 backpacks and purchase over 215,915 school supplies to better prepare students for success as they head back to school this year. The school supply drive, held in partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) and iHeartMedia radio stations in San Diego, encouraged supporters to make monetary donations online, in-branch at any SDCCU location or in-store at any Jersey Mike’s location in San Diego County.

“We are so thankful for all of the generous donations from our community and those who help to make this school supply drive successful each year,” said SDCCU President and CEO Teresa Campbell. “The continued support allows us to meet the needs of thousands of students throughout San Diego. The school supplies purchased using donations collected in this year’s drive will allow the students to return to school this fall ready to learn.”

“We’re incredibly grateful to the San Diego County community, SDCCU, Jersey Mike’s, and everyone who donated for their willingness to take action and support our students during this campaign,” said San Diego County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gloria E. Ciriza. “Their generosity throughout this campaign helps remove barriers to learning and shows our students they are cared for and belong.”

SDCCU Stuff the Bus provides students supplies at 30 school districts and 31 charter schools. According to SDCOE, more than 21,000 school-age children were identified as homeless during the last school year. Homelessness can mean living in a shelter, sharing a residence with whole families, living in a car or trailer or sharing a room in an apartment with relatives. Homelessness is not limited to urban, downtown San Diego — it also affects suburban school districts in many areas.

“I am so grateful for the generosity of community this year and for our incredible partners and supporters,” said Susie Terry, SDCOE’s Coordinator, Homeless Education Services. “Starting the school year with the supplies needed to succeed in the classroom makes a big impact for these students and their families.”

In addition to helping students in San Diego County, the Stuff the Bus campaign reached both Orange and Riverside counties through our partnership with The Angels Baseball Foundation. Donations were collected through in-branch, online and at participating Orange County Jersey Mike’s locations and totaled $16,674, which helped purchase school supplies that were distributed to students at the Angels Baseball Foundation Back 2 School Event on July 23 and will continue to support The Angels Baseball Foundation. Stuff the Bus collectively raised $127,743 for students in Southern California.

SDCCU Stuff the Bus aligns with the Live Well San Diego initiative. SDCCU, San Diego’s largest locally-owned financial institution, SDCOE and iHeartMedia are proud Live Well San Diego partners. The County Board of Supervisors launched Live Well San Diego in 2010 with the goal of achieving healthy, safe and thriving communities across the region by partnering with community and city leaders, schools, businesses, non-profit organizations and residents.

SDCCU is one of the nation’s top credit unions and was ranked a top credit union in California in 2024 by Forbes. SDCCU proudly serves the financial needs of customers in Southern California counties, including Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura. SDCCU has assets of over $11 billion, more than 428,000 customers and 30,000 surcharge-FREE ATMs. SDCCU provides breakthrough banking products that meet the demands of today’s lifestyle and delivers banking services that save customers money. SDCCU is leading the way, offering FREE Checking with eStatements, SDCCU mobile banking, mortgage loans, auto loans, Visa® credit cards and business banking services. Federally insured by NCUA. Membership required. Equal Housing Opportunity. NMLS #580585. For more information, visit www.sdccu.com.
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