Fillthe Bus
Helping children in need show up and shine this school year.
AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2024
2024 ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE SUPPORTING 9TH ANNUAL
Our Impact
Catie’s Closet gives children in need life-changing access to clothing and basic necessities so they can thrive in school and in life.
Our services reached far and wide last year with the opening of two new Distribution Centers and 12 new closets. We remain committed to serving the increasing number of children in need across dozens of communities in MA and NH.
14 Closets in Western MA
54 Closets in Merrimack Valley 17 Closets in New Hampshire
54 Closets in Boston
95,000 children served 21 team members 139 school closets
1.0 M necessities delivered
Why Fill the Bus is our biggest clothing drive of the year.
Back-to-school season brings a heavy financial burden to so many students in our community. Children rely on Catie’s Closet to obtain the essentials needed for a successful start to the new school year. From August to October, we receive an influx of requests for clothing, basic necessities, and school supplies in addition to the regular high demand for our In-School Closet and SOS Urgent Response Programs.
Over the next 12 weeks we will: Fill 500 SOS Urgent Response Requests Prepare 139 Closets
Community support enables us to build sufficient inventory and remain an immediate resource for students in need.
GOALS:
80,000 items 50 drives 500 confidence packs
SOSURGENT H ELPING CHILDRENIN RESPONSE IN TIMES OF TRANSITION
Fund It.
SOSURGENT
H ELPINGCHILDRENIN RESPONSE
IN TIMESOF TRANSITION
SOS SPONSOR
- $5,000
Distinctive program that provides children transitioning between stable living conditions with up to two weeks of clothing and necessities to provide relief during crisis situations.
CONFIDENCE PACK SPONSOR
- $2,500
Provides children with our most highly requested and urgently needed items in brand new condition, arming them with what they need to show up and shine every day.
SNEAKER SPONSOR
- $1,500
Be with children in need every step of the way by providing over 50 brand new pairs of sneakers and other footwear this upcoming year.
EVENT SPONSOR
- $1,000
Your sponsorship will support our Fill the Bus program during the back-to-school season, empowering students to have a long-lasting successful start to the school year.
All sponsorship levels will receive customized recognition on our website and Fill the Bus digital media promotion.
BUSBUDDIES:ONLINEFUNDRAISER
Bethedriverofyourowncompanyfundraiser!Easilysetupacustom peer-to-peerfundraisingpageusingourplatform.Rallyyour employeesandtheirnetworkstohelpfillthebus,virtually!
Wewillprovideyouwithallthetoolsforasuccessfulcampaign, includingpromotionalmaterialstohelpbringawarenessforyour back-to-schoolfundraiserandregularupdatesasyoureachyourgoal.
Fundswillhelpsuppo purchaseofadditiona forourmosthighlyre items,suchashoodie andmore.
2024 FUNDRAISING GOAL: $50,000
Pack It.
Confidence Packs are tailored to fulfill the most urgent needs of children served by our In-School Closet Program and SOS Urgent Response Program.
Hygiene Pack
YOUTH HYGIENE PACK
Kids’ Shampoo
Kids’ Body Wash
Kids’ Toothpaste
Kids’ Toothbrush
Deodorant
TEEN HYGIENE PACK
Packs may be packaged in a clear bag. Confidence Pack bags provided by Catie’s Closet at an additional cost.
Glue Sticks 5 Folders 1 Package of Highlighters 24 Pack of Crayons
Pack School Packs must be packaged in a backpack.
A BACKPACK
Youth Girl Backpack
Youth Boy Backpack
Teen Girl Backpack
Teen Boy Backpack
HYGIENE SCHOOL
First, choose your pack theme. After collecting the items, host a building party to assemble the packs together as a team at your office!
Undies Pack
YOUTH BOY PACK
Boys’ Underwear
Size 4T-XL | Any Style
Boys’ Socks
Size S-L | Any Style
TEEN BOY PACK
Men’s Underwear
Size S-XL | Any Size & Style
Men’s Socks
Size 6-12 | Any Size & Style
Back to School Pack
YOUTH GIRL PACK
Girls’ Underwear
Size 4-16 | Any Style
Girls’ Socks
Size S-L | Any Style
TEEN GIRL PACK
Women’s Underwear
Size 5-9 | Any Size & Style
Women’s Socks
Size 5-12 | Any Size & Style
Give a child a complete back-to-school outfit! We provide you with the profile of a child in need, and you donate a brand new outfit, consisting of a top, bottom, and basics listed on the card. Promotional poster and donation boxes included.
Packs may be packaged in a clear bag. Confidence Pack bags provided by Catie’s Closet at an additional cost.
Run It.
Join us for our 4th Annual Virtual 5K!
September 15th -September 29th
Whether children walk to school, play with peers at recess, participate in gym, or try out for sports, proper footwear is critical.
Our 4th Annual Virtual 5K funds brand new pairs of sneakers for children in need this school year. Run, walk, or bike as an individual or move together as part of a team!
Registration is $30 per participant, and includes a printable bib and digital certificate of participation.
WATCH: SupportingStudentsfrom EarlyChildhoodthrough Adolescence:EveryStepof theWay
Participate as a team!
Companies, individuals, and entire communities can register as a 5K team. This is a great opportunity to make a larger impact, together!
In-Person 5K Kit: Bring the competition to life in person with our 5K kit, great for companies and communities to come together for some fun and goodwill. The kit includes mile markers, a finish line, photo props, and participation ribbons for all registered participants.
Cost: $250
Host a Sneaker Drive: Can’t participate in our 5K but still want to provide sneakers to children in need? Host a sneaker drive! We provide you with all promotional and participant materials. Your sneaker drive can make a big difference for children in need this school year.
Cost: FREE
Give It.
Encourage employees to repurpose gently used youth clothing from their homes or purchase new items from our Wish Lists to achieve 100% participation in your company clothing drive.
All drives include a custom company flier and donation boxes. Pick up options are available for qualifying drives and scheduled in advance.
Host a general clothing and basic necessities drive or help us fill our most urgent inventory needs by focusing on one of our essential categories below.
Beep Beep: Bring the Bus!
Give confidence by the busload!
Become a bus stop location and make your Fill the Bus drive an employee engagement event to remember.
Choose a date and time for a school bus to come to your office with a customized banner featuring your logo. Invite your customers, employees, and community to drop off their donations.
Cost: $1,000
Your impact in their words.
“It's a really amazing place!”
“Catie's Closet doesn’t only provide the children with what they physically need, it helps provide them with confidence to attend school without worrying about being “different” or not accepted because of what they are wearing.”
“The self-esteem & smiles that Catie's Closet brings to school aged kids of all ages is phenomenal!”
“When I get stuff from Catie's Closet I can wear, I don't have to worry about what kids say.”
