MOST NEEDED NON-PERISHABLE FOOD
- Tuna Fish or other canned fish/meat
- Beef stew and Hearty meat soups
- Refried beans
- Pork & beans
- Chili
- Beans
- Baby food or formula
- Juice or drinks (other than water)
- Cereal bars
- Dry beans
- Instant oatmeal
- Powdered milk
- Pancake or baking mixes
- Cereals
- Granola bars
- Peanut butter
- Jelly (in plastic jars)
- Canned goods
- Nutritious canned food with pop tops (to support the homeless shelter and backpack program)
- Ravioli
- Small Cereal Boxes
MOST NEEDED PERSONAL CARE ITEMS:
- Laundry soap
- Diapers
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes
- Soap
- Shampoo
- Disposable Razors
- Blankets
- Clothing (all sizes)
- Coats
- Hats
- Gloves
- Scarves
For more than fifteen years, Camas and Washougal High School students have worked with local organizations to provide food for families and programs in our communities. In 2019, the students and community raised more than 46,000 pounds of food that provided gift baskets over the holidays and food all year long to the Children’s Home Society’s East County Family Resource Center, the C.A.R.O.L. Program, and the American Legion in Skamania County.
Children’s Home Society provides the food for the Hathaway Backpack Program and is open to give food to families in need all year long, averaging 350 food bags per month. Stuff the Bus provides 95% of the food to support this program. This is a gift these kids give their community and something they can be really proud of – and so can you!
Donations will benefit the C.A.R.O.L. Program, the American Legion in Skamania County, Children’s Home Society’s East County Family Resource Center in Washougal, and the Interfaith Treasure House in Camas. The C.A.R.O.L. Program is run by Brooks Cooper at the Camas Fire Department and provides holiday food and gift baskets to people in need throughout Camas and Washougal. The Legion provides assistance to Veterans and local families in need. The East County Family Resource Center is an organization that provides emergency assistance to children and their families who are in crisis in our community and the Interfaith Treasure House has been a resource in our community for years for people in need. When Washougal High School ASB leaders and students show their community spirit it inspires all of us to join this great cause. All elementary and middle schools participate in this activity, and students demonstrate a willingness to work hard to benefit those in need in our community.
Beginning November 1 through December 2, community members are invited to drop off non-perishable canned or boxed foods and household supplies at Washougal schools. Supporters can also donate at the Camas/Washougal Fire Department 4321 NW Parker St., Camas.
If you are interested in donating to this cause online, contributions to Stuff the Bus can be made through Children’s Home Society. Use the location East County Resource Center, and enter Stuff the Bus Washougal in the comment.
On December 2, the final day of the event, the collection will finish at Washougal High School all day to “stuff the bus” full with all of the donated goods!
Stuff the Bus was started in 2007 by Neil Jackson of the Camas-Washougal Business Alliance, who challenged Camas High School and Washougal High School student bodies to see which school could raise the most food.
All donations to stuff the bus stay in the local community, and benefit organizations supporting families in need.
