The 2023 "Pack the Bus" school supply drive collected a record number of items for area school children.

The drive, which concluded August 10, brought in 10,927 items, the most items collected in the five-year history of the effort. That total surpasses the 10,355 school items collected in 2020. The supplies collected this year are valued at $17,483.

In the five years of the school supply collection drive, Genesis has collected 48,345 items with a value of $84,653.

The supplies have been distributed to schools around the Quad Cities area to help families that may not have the resources to send their children to school with all the supplies they need.

“We are so pleased to be able to make another significant donation to schools in the area so children are prepared to begin the year,” said Shirley Gusta, Director, Business Intelligence Center, Genesis Health System, who coordinated the effort. “All students should have access to the resources they need to succeed. We truly appreciate the support for this effort from colleagues and the community!”

A large donation came from Bettendorf Office Supplies, which contributed more than 3,400 items. Additionally, local Gray Matters chapters in Illinois Quad Cities area high schools collected $400 worth of school supplies through an event called “Glow Back to School,” and donated them to “Pack the Bus.” Gray Matters is a collective of high school students promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

School supplies for the drive were collected from the public at the GMC-East Rusholme Street, GMC-West Central Park and GMC-Silvis hospital campuses and at North Scott Foods in Eldridge. Genesis Colleagues were able to leave donations through Aug. 9 at Blessing Boxes located in facilities across the health system.

Thank you to everyone who made a donation and to the volunteers who helped with the event!