Teachers know when students have the supplies they need, the school day runs smoother with kids engaging and learning more together.

Thanks to the generosity of our community partner Arizona Mills Mall and members of the Tempe community, students at Tempe Elementary School District will have plenty of extra supplies to last the entire school year!

This summer, Arizona Mills hosted their first annual Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive. Arizona Mills shoppers were encouraged to donate school supplies and backpacks at various locations around the mall throughout the months of June and July.

The mall also organized special events to promote the drive, such as a free kids movie ticket to see Cars 3 for every child who donated school supplies.

It is estimated that our Tempe community donated around $2,000 in supplies and backpacks to our schools thanks to the Arizona Mills Stuff the Bus Drive. This donation included about 50 new backpacks.

New backpacks and school supplies can make a big difference for students and families in our school district who do not have the resources to buy them. Our Tempe community went the extra mile with some families donating hand-wrapped back-to-school gifts for our Tempe Elementary students.

Hudson Elementary received the majority of the backpacks from this event to disperse among students that need them most. Hudson Principal Dr. Jeff Shores has seen the positive impact that a new backpack and school supplies can make to children in his school community.

“When these supplies are given to students, the smiles and sense of confidence that emits from these children and their families can bring you to tears,” said Shores. “I can’t thank those who donated enough. It’s hard to express how meaningful these acts of kindness are.”

Thank you Arizona Mills and our Tempe community for your continued support and generous donation to Tempe Elementary schools!