Through United Way of Greater Central Michigan’s Stuff the Bus initiative, generous community members and local businesses came together to support teachers and students across Gratiot, Isabella, Montcalm, and Ionia counties. This year, the program represents more than a $55,000 investment in local classrooms and our community.

We’re proud to share that over 1,100 elementary classrooms at 56 schools received a gift card to help teachers purchase the supplies and resources they need for their classrooms.

For teachers, a gift card can mean having the flexibility to fill the gaps and provide students with the materials they need to learn, create, explore, and succeed. Whether it’s classroom essentials, disinfecting wipes, snacks, or a few extra supplies to make the school year a little brighter, every donation through United Way’s Stuff the Bus program made a big difference. And behind every gift card is a community member or business who chose to invest in local students.

“Stuff the Bus is about more than school supplies—it’s about showing our teachers and students that their community believes in them,” said Annie Sanders, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Central Michigan. “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make it possible to reach classrooms across all four counties we serve.”

Over the past several weeks, the United Way team hit the road, traveling throughout the four counties we serve to visit schools and deliver gift cards directly to teachers. With more than 1,100 classrooms to reach, it was a busy few weeks—but also one of the most rewarding parts of the Stuff the Bus initiative. Seeing the smiles, hearing the thank-yous, and knowing that each gift card will directly benefit local students made every mile worth it. These deliveries were a powerful reminder of what can happen when our community comes together with a shared commitment to helping local students thrive.

We couldn’t have done it without the generosity of our communities. To every donor, business, school, volunteer, teacher, and community member who helped make Stuff the Bus a success this year—THANK YOU for helping us invest in the next generation.