With the rising cost of school supplies, many parents find themselves struggling to financially support the lists of necessary purchases, especially those with multiple children. According to the National Retail Federation, the average cost of school supplies for a family with students in elementary school through high school in 2023 was a whopping $890. In 2024, as inflation has yet to cool, it is fair to only expect this number to rise.
Each year, the Communities In Schools of San Antonio (CIS-SA) Stuff The Bus School Supply Drive provides free school supplies to thousands of underserved students and families throughout the school year. Their impressive work through the drive has garnered the support of many local organizations and leaders, and their reach has expanded to an impressive total of over 160 schools and 11 school districts within the San Antonio area. This year, Pearl and The CE Group, Inc., a local experience marketing firm hope to “stuff” a real bus with brand new backpacks; a supply that has historically been under-donated.
The duo, in collaboration with CIS-SA, will host an experiential drive on Wednesday, August 7th, from 11 AM to 2 PM at 307 Pearl Pkwy. The Drive will feature a real school bus in which participants can “Stuff The Bus” with their donated backpacks for a chance to win a pair of tickets to see musical trio, LA LOM at the recently reinvigorated venue, Stable Hall.
The CE Group, the first business to move in as a tenant at Pearl, has helped as a partner to create memorable moments for the district that have marked its history, and they are excited to continue to do so in the name of generosity.
“As an effort to continue our company giving initiative, Champions of Experience, we are thrilled to be partnering with both Pearl and CIS-SA on something as impactful as serving the next generation of educated leaders in our community with the tools to build a brighter future,” says President and CEO, Janet Holliday.
Pearl encourages not only its tenants and residents to participate but challenges the entire San Antonio community to help meet the tremendous need by getting involved in the drive.
“We know that the visionaries of tomorrow are the students of today, and so it is our commitment to help equip them through facilitating and bringing together the community through this initiative.” – Pearl CEO, Mesha Millsap
For more information about Stuff the Bus, please visit the Communities In Schools of San Antonio Stuff the Bus website .HERE.