Gear Up for Back to School: Stuff the Bus!
Drive student success by donating needed school supplies.
ALBUQUERQUE – The road to academic success for Albuquerque’s future leaders starts with the right supplies in their backpacks.
As the school year ramps up, ABQ RIDE is hosting Back to School: Stuff the Bus! along with the UNM Foundation to support Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) students. Come fill a 40-foot City bus with supplies like pens, calculators, rulers, and more on Saturday, August 16, from 9 a.m. until noon at the Hinkle Fun Center and Flix Brewhouse parking lot near Tramway and Indian School.
The event is set up for folks to conveniently roll in with donations and roll out quickly to enjoy their Saturday. Thanks to community sponsors, every car bringing donations will receive two Hinkle mini-golf passes and one Flix Brewhouse movie pass. All donations go to APS students in need of supplies to start the school year with the tools necessary to learn, feel confident, and thrive. Supplies will be distributed based on an equity model to serve those with the highest need.
“The City is all-in for getting needed school supplies into the backpacks of students,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “This event, along with our annual APS School Supply Drive, demonstrate the collective effort of City departments to set students up for a successful school year.”
Basic school supplies are out of reach for many and can make the difference between graduating or dropping out. Per data from the APS Community Clothing Bank, more than two-thirds of APS students come from low-income households, and two out of three are considered at risk. Donations help families who may face difficult trade-offs between spending on school supplies versus essential bills.
“We are grateful to the ABQ RIDE team for driving this effort forward,” said APS Manager of Special Projects Vaisu Desai Bronk. “It’s a powerful example of how public service extends beyond the job and of people coming together to show students they matter.”
ABQ RIDE and the UNM Foundation partnered on this event in the shared pursuit of giving back to the community and getting students en route to successful academic outcomes.
“Help us drive this fundraiser home!” said Transit Director Leslie Keener. “ABQ RIDE is highly connected to our community and in turn wants to connect our future leaders with the supplies they need for their education. Let’s stuff the bus from seats to ceiling, because our students deserve the best!”
“At the UNM Foundation, we believe that investing in students starts long before they set foot on a college campus. It begins with access. Every child deserves the chance to walk into a classroom feeling prepared, supported, and full of possibility. That starts with something as simple as having the right school supplies. This effort is our way of saying: We see you. We believe in you. We’ve got your back,” said President and CEO of the UNM Foundation Jeff Todd. “ We’re proud to stand with ABQ RIDE and all those helping to stuff the bus and fuel a brighter future for every student in Albuquerque.”
Visit ABQRIDE.com for event information and the full APS School Supply Wish List containing the most-needed items for the 2025-2026 academic year.
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ABQ RIDE’s mission is to provide the community with safe, clean, and reliable transportation.