Over 300 students ready for school thanks to you

The drive may be over but the impact of this year’s Stuff the Bus Back-to-School donation effort is just getting started.

We’re thrilled to share that—thanks to the generosity of our community—we distributed over 300 fully stocked backpacks for local students just in time for the start of the school year. Each one is filled with essential school supplies and packed with encouragement, hope, and the belief that every child deserves a strong start.

A Heartfelt Thank You.

This year marked the 26th Annual Fulton Homes Stuff the Bus event, and the very first year we were selected as the nonprofit partner. For three weeks in June and July, a bright yellow school bus sat parked outside the mall food court at Chandler Fashion Center—and the community showed up in full force.

Whether you donated a backpack, dropped off glue sticks, bought headphones, or simply helped spread the word, your kindness made a difference.

“As prices rise and more families are stretched thin, these small acts of generosity truly change lives,” said Robyn Julien, CEO of Save the Family. “Every single backpack collected was a burden lifted—and a confidence boost—for a student starting the year.”

Highlights from the Drive

• 300+ backpacks filled with grade-appropriate supplies
• Two high-energy community events with food, music, and giveaways
• Support from local mall retailers with freebies from Freddy’s Frozen Custard, JD Sports, P.F. Chang’s, Spinato’s Pizza, and Mrs. Fields.

We also loved seeing familiar faces, new volunteers, and even kids who once received backpacks come by to pay it forward.

Why It Matters

Back-to-school season should be filled with excitement, not anxiety. But for families experiencing homelessness or extreme financial hardship, it can be overwhelming. At Save the Family, we work year-round to help families stay housed, stay together, and stay on a path to stability—and that includes ensuring kids have what they need to thrive in school.

When a student walks into class with the same supplies as their peers, they walk in with dignity. With confidence. With the tools to succeed.

And that’s exactly what you helped provide.