Stuff The Bus - Our Twenty-first Year

The name “Stuff The Bus” is registered to the Marion County Veterans Council by the State of Florida. This philanthropic program was initiated by the Kingdom of the Sun Chapter, Military Officers Association of America, and is the state’s longest standing program providing backpacks filled with school supplies for needy children. The Marion County Veterans Council, Inc. is a 501(c)4 (Veteran) Nonprofit Corporation and donations to the Council are tax-deductible. Donation checks should be made out to “Marion County Veterans Council” and note “Stuff the Bus” on the memo line. Mail to: MCVC, c/o COL R.C. Ham, 2480 SE 38th Street, Ocala, FL 34480-8821. Donations are acknowledged with a letter containing all information needed for your tax deduction.

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A Record Year in 2021 - Despite COVID-19

Although the Coronavirus has limited our ability to solicit in-kind donations this year, we have managed to set a new annual record.

Since July 17, 2021 we have delivered 1,071 backpacks, each filled with nineteen necessary school items, to forty-two elementary and middle schools for issue to homeless and needy students. Each backpack and the supplies therein has a retail value of over $42, and enables disadvantaged students to start the school year on a level playing field.

Empowering Young Learners

Coming to class prepared

School Counselors identify the need and veterans deliver the goods: Backpack, spiral notebook, composition book, 3-ring binder, notebook paper, file folders, rulers, colored pencils, highlighters, glue sticks, pencil box, crayons, markers, pens, pencils, erasers, scissors, and pencil sharpener.

Research shows that students who begin school with the necessary tools for class participation and homework outperform those who do not.

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We maximize the impact of your donation

FOCUSED

100% of monetary donations goes toward the provision of much-needed school supplies for underprivileged children.

CARING

To ensure anonymity, a variety of high-end backpacks is delivered to counselors at the school for issue to homeless and needy students.

EFFICIENT

The collection, sorting, storage, packing and delivery of student backpacks and supplies is accomplished entirely by volunteer labor.

EFFECTIVE

Student backpacks are filled with quality materials that meet teacher recommendations for classroom and home use.

TIMELY

Every effort is made to deliver ample backpacks before school begins in the fall – we want these kids to start the year on an equal footing with their classmates.

SUCCESSFUL

So far this school year we have delivered 1,071 backpacks to 42 elementary and middle schools with a retail value in excess of $47,000.

Donate Now To “Stuff The Bus”

“We are a 501(c)4 nonprofit veteran group and all donations are tax-deductible. Each year we give away everything donated a begin anew. Upon request, we will issue acknowledgement of your donation including our tax-ID number for your record keeping.

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