We “stuffed the bus” in Whatcom County on August 7th, and by “we,” we mean our sponsors at KAFE 104.1 radio, our host Lakeway Fred Meyer, the businesses and organizations who hosted supply drives, and the people who donated stacks upon stacks of basic needs supplies! We also raised $3,001.84 through the impressive support of our community. This year’s Back2Basics drive goes beyond school supplies for kids and now focuses on everything a family needs at home and at school. Whether the high costs of hygiene supplies strain them during the school year, they lack new-home essentials to thrive as they exit homelessness, or they need diapers and wipes to keep their babies healthy and dry, Back2Basics has them covered.

A big thank you to KAFE 104.1 for broadcasting and spreading the word,  Lakeway Fred Meyer for hosting us, and our generous Whatcom drive hosts: Kulshan Community Land Trust, Whatcom Family YMCA, Madrona Gifts, Pumped Bellingham, and Elements Hot Yoga. Thank you Blue Skies for Children and Ferndale Community Services for helping us distribute all these great supplies! And to Barron Quinn Blackwood, My Garden Nursery, and many others for their kind donations.

In Island County, Opportunity Council is kicking off a two day basic needs drive this weekend.

Thank you, Coupeville Lions Club, for helping with the event.  Thank you to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County and Grace by the Sea Church for hosting drives in Island County. The Island County Stuff the Bus event takes place on August 17th and 18th at Oak Harbor Walmart from 10 am to 2 pm.

A yellow school bus displays a light blue banner with colorful painted letters that say "Stuff the Bus: Basic Needs Drive."

This bus was packed with donations by the time we left at 7 p.m.

An orange school bus that says "Early Learning and Family Services: a dept. of The Opportunity Council" is filled with household and school supplies.

The school bus at our Whatcom Stuff the Bus drive was packed with school, home, and hygiene supplies!

A man stands in front of a yellow school bus, smiling and holding a check.

This generous gentleman from My Garden Nursery made a huge donation that warmed our hearts.

Four people stand under a canopy and behind a table with technology equipment on it. The canopy and tablecloth say "Today's variety: KAFE 104.1 FM."

Dave, Allan, and Patrice from our awesome sponsor KAFE 104.1 Radio interviewed lots of people involved with the drive. One was Executive Director Greg Winter (second from right).

Two kids hold laundry and dish detergent while smiling. A yellow school bus is visible in the far background.

These kiddos also got in on the fun of donating to people in need.

A big box covered in blue paper holds supplies ranging from school supplies to period supplies to baby wipes.

Our big blue boxes collected items like school supplies, period and hygiene supplies, and baby essentials.

A counter, table, and floor piled high with home items like appliances, food, towels, laundry detergent, and toiletries.

Our front desk was overflowing with supplies, thanks to the outpouring of support!

A woman smiles and waves from a table with an Opportunity Council tablecloth that has tabling materials on it and a sign that says "Stuff the Bus." A donation box on the right is filled with stuff. A big banner in the back bears the Opportunity Council logo.

Team member Teya greets shoppers from our info table.