Huntington, United Way’s Stuff the Bus Program Back for 13th Year

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Huntington Bank is donating backpacks to students in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Mercer counties to help children get ready for the 2023-24 school year. 

Huntington Bank has been partnering with local nonprofits for 13 years to distribute backpacks to low- and moderate-income children as they get ready to go back to school. 

The giveaway is part of Huntington’s annual backpack and Stuff the Bus program in partnership with the United Way.

“This powerful collaboration has helped many vulnerable children in the region get ready for school, allowing them to learn and grow up to be who they are meant to be,” said Samuel Huston, Huntington’s market president in the Mahoning Valley. “Helping a child can have a significant impact, and Huntington is honored to be a part of it.”  

Stuff the Bus will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday at the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, 255 Watt St. 

Volunteers from Huntington Bank will help pack the backpacks with school supplies. Distribution in the designated counties will take place after Aug. 10. 

“United Way wants our children to be prepared for school, and we are so thankful for the Stuff the Bus collaboration with Huntington Bank,” said Bob Hannon, president of the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. They allow us to get our students the supplies they need to succeed in the classroom. We do not want this to be a burden on the families we serve. We want their children to enter the new school year with the confidence they need and not worry about being without the necessities.”

Great Clips, Cocca’s Pizza and WFMJ are also part of the Stuff the Bus partnership. Great Clips and Cocca’s Pizza raise money in their locations throughout August to help the United Way purchase school supplies for the bookbags donated by Huntington Bank.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.