# Virtual School Supply Drives Stuff the Bus Encourages School Supply Donations for Local Schools By Riley von Niessen | Published 2020-07-29 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stuff-the-bus References: [unitedwayslo.org](https://www.unitedwayslo.org/StuffTheBus) The [United Way of San Luis Obispo](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/united-way) is gearing up for its 12th Annual Stuff the Bus [School Supply Drive](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/backtoschool-shopping), which will be virtual this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative was created to offer students at [local schools in need](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/communityfocused-campaign) with supplies so that they can start the year off successfully. The United Way of San Luis Obispo donated supplies to over 4,000 students across the country this past year, but is looking to increase donations for 2020 in order to give many other students in need access to these essentials. To increase donations, the United Way of San Luis Obispo is encouraging businesses and their employees to give what they can. To ensure the supplies goes to students in need, it will collaborate with local school districts to distribute the donations. Image Credit: United Way of San Luis Obispo County ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.3/10 - Popularity: 39% | Activity: 51% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Charity](https://www.trendhunter.com/charity) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Virtual School Supply Drives:** The pandemic is fueling the growth of virtual school supply drives, offering opportunities for online donation platforms to enhance their offerings to support local schools and non-profits. - **Corporate Social Responsibility Drives:** Socially responsible campaigns, like Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive, are growing exponentially, extending opportunities for businesses to collaborate with non-profits to serve the community and improve their reputation. - **Remote Collaboration for In-kind Donations:** The rise of remote collaboration for in-kind donations offers an opportunity for technology firms to increase their presence by offering integrated platforms compatible with multiple channels of communication, including VR technology. ### Where This Applies - **Online Donations Platform:** Online donation platforms such as GlobalGiving and Benevity have an opportunity to extend their services to non-profit and educational organizations by facilitating virtual school supply drives and improving their community outreach programs. - **Corporate Social Responsibility Consulting:** Consulting firms specializing in corporate social responsibility communication, partnerships, and initiatives have a unique opportunity to engage with businesses and non-profits to enhance their campaign outcomes brand reputation. - **Technology Providers:** Technology providers can offer remote collaboration solutions and technology integrated services to non-profit and educational organizations looking to improve their communication and logistics processes for in-kind donations like virtual school supply drives. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Branded Underfunded School Donations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/underfunded-school.md) - [Affordable Back-To-School Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/annual-backtoschool-promotion.md) - [Hygiene-Focused Fundraisers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hygiene-for-hope.md) - [Supportive Scholastic Retailer Funds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aldi-backtoschool-fund.md) - [Affordable Back-To-School Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mens-closet.md) - [Educator-Supporting Fruit Snack Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/give-fruitfully.md) - [Back-To-School Barbershop Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cutz-4-kids.md) - [Supportive Back-to-School Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2024-backtoschool-campaign.md) - [Back-to-School Shopping Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/staples-1.md)