The Annual Stuff the Bus event on Nov. 26, 2024, was a resounding success, with 30 students from Becton participating. Led by Mr. Jason Kuhns and supported by chaperones Ms. Angela Calasso, Mr. Michael Ryan, and Mr. Carlo Maucione, the event continued its tradition of making a positive impact in the community.
The goal of Stuff the Bus is to collect toiletries, non-perishable food items, and frozen turkeys during the holiday season. Mr. Kuhns receives donations from all three towns of East Rutherford, Carlstadt, and Maywood. The opportunity to donate is available for one month before a list of students “stuff the bus” and head to the select drop-off location. This year, the drop site for the donations was at a ShopRite in Neptune, NJ.
Mr. Kuhns explains the process for selecting student volunteers, “Selecting students depends on the classes I teach and the number of students I have. I have brought up to 50. If I do not get enough freshmen, then I open it up to other students—first come, first served.”
Mr. Kuhns recalls one of the most memorable years of the Stuff the Bus initiative—the year of Superstorm Sandy back in 2012. During this time, the largest Stuff the Bus event took place, with communities coming together to fill two entire buses packed with donations.
Reflecting on the experience, Mr. Kuhns shares, “It was very emotional to see the amount of donations during one of our greatest times of need. Everyone, including the students, were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for our goal.” This experience was especially impactful for students, as they witnessed firsthand how much food would be distributed to families heavily affected by the storm.
Fast forward to this year, the process remains just as meaningful. Mr. Kuhns explains the process, “We unload our donations into a pile for a group picture. The drop-off site is hosted by WRAT 95.9, a local Jersey Shore radio station, as part of their Broadcast for the People event. After the group picture, we load up a 50-foot trailer with our donations. Afterwards, we head to Surf Taco for lunch and then return to Becton.”
Mr. Kuhns further emphasizes the importance of the initiative, “Stuff the Bus has a dual impact. First, it helps underserved families in New Jersey receive much-needed meals. Second, our students witness the gratitude and appreciation of the staff members at the drop-off site collecting the donations. It is an invaluable experience that our students may not get to be a part of again.” Thus, from the generosity shown during Superstorm Sandy to this year’s efforts, Stuff the Bus continues to bring communities together while teaching students the importance of giving back.
Students reflecting on this year’s Stuff the Bus include Elijah Gueye, Kristen Dearborn, and Kaylee Dearborn. Elijah shared that his favorite parts of the experience were loading the food onto the bus and imagining the happiness it would bring to the families receiving the donations. He added, “It was meaningful because while on a fun field trip, we were also able to make a positive impact on the less fortunate by providing a lot of much-needed food. Overall, a very fun and memorable experience. I highly recommend it to any incoming freshmen next year.”
Kristen Dearborn, who has participated in Stuff the Bus for three consecutive years, finds the experience both meaningful and enjoyable. She values the opportunity to spend time with friends while making a positive impact. Kr. Dearborn shares that while waiting outside ShopRite, some students even buy additional turkeys, making the day even more meaningful. For Ka. Dearborn, the trip holds special meaning as it reflects her passion for helping others and supporting a good cause. She is especially moved by seeing the generosity of her peers and the impact of the donations on families in need.
Mr. Kuhns points out that the experience students gain from this trip goes beyond what can be taught in a classroom. He also mentions that he expects Mr. Maucione to take over the trip in the future!
As this year’s event has concluded, we look forward to another successful trip and a donation-filled bus next year!
