Stuff the Bus Maine is a school readiness program that provides backpacks, school supplies and other items to prepare low-income students for the first day of school and to ensure their success throughout the school year.
Started in 2006, the initiative is run by volunteer Wanda Parent and others who collect donated supplies through a school bus parked in various locations (e.g., WalMart). In 2013, the program provided school supplies to 1400 local school children and homeless teens.
With economic difficulties increasing, and many families’ resources dwindling (Today, 1 in 3 children in Sanford and Springvale qualify for financial assistance), these donations help children get the right start to the school year and ensure they are ready to learn.
Contact Wanda Parent for more information.
On Saturday, August 22nd, 2026, Stuff the Bus Maine will hold its annual school supplies distribution event at Curtis Lake Church in Sanford. No pre-registration is required. Please arrive at your designated time.Go to check-in with a separate index card for each child. On the top of the index card, put your name. Underneath your name, print the first and last name of your child and what grade they will be attending in the fall. Please have a separate card completed for each of your children before you arrive. This will help the line move much more efficiently.Arrival times are as follows:Children with last names starting with A through G: arrive at 10:30 am Children with last names starting with N through S: arrive at 9:00 am Children with last names starting with H through M: arrive at 10:00 am Children with last names starting with T through Z: arrive at 11:00 amThe only exception is if there are children in one family with multiple last names. In that case, refer to the last name of your youngest school aged child to determine your arrival time.If you arrive without your child, please come at 11:30 am with an index card filled out for each of your children, and one of our volunteers will fill a backpack for you.Please do not arrive before your designated arrival time, as this extends wait times for everyone. This event runs while supplies last.This event is intended to get kids excited and prepared to go back to school. Stuff the Bus Maine has a strict zero tolerance policy regarding disrespect toward volunteers at this event. We make every effort to move families through in a timely manner.