Stuff the Bus 2025 Get Involved!

Description

Presented by Northeast Bank, in partnership with Northeast Charter & Tour Co.

The holiday season is a time for giving, and Stuff the Bus is how our community comes together to do just that. Each December, the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce partners with Northeast Bank, our premier sponsor, and Northeast Charter & Tour Co., who generously provide the bus, to collect gifts for local nonprofits serving families, seniors, and pets across Androscoggin County.

This long-standing tradition fills our community with joy, connection, and generosity — and you can be part of it!

Click register to sign up and get involved!

🎁 Ways to Get Involved

Public Drop-Off Location
Welcome the community to give back! Your business will be promoted as a public collection site throughout the campaign on our website, social media, and printed posters. Members of the public will be encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped gifts at your location. Click here for a list of ideas to get started!
Then, on Tuesday, December 9, our bus could stop by as part of the Stuff the Bus Route to pick up your donations, or you can drop off the items at the Chamber.

Sign-Up Deadline for Public Collection Sites: November 7

Internal Gift Drive
Host an internal drive within your workplace or organization. We’ll provide digital materials to help you spread the word among staff and organize your collection. Internal drives are not listed publicly but make a big impact through team giving. Click here for a list of ideas to get started!
Then, on Tuesday, December 9, our bus could stop by as part of the Stuff the Bus Route to pick up your donations, or you can drop off the items at the Chamber.

Deadline for receiving Collected Items: December 8

Wishlist Donation (Monetary Contribution)
Can’t host a collection? Make a monetary donation instead! Our Chamber elves will use your funds to shop for the most-needed items identified by our nonprofit partners.

Deadline to support our final shopping trip: December 8

💛 Supporting Sponsor – $1,000

Help us make an even bigger impact! Supporting Sponsors provide crucial funding that powers Stuff the Bus and receive:

• Recognition on DiscoverLAMaine.com (Stuff the Bus webpage)
• Recognition at Connections for a Cause – Stuff the Bus celebration
• Logo placement on select marketing materials
  
  

Ready to Join?

Click “Register” to sign up as a collection site, supporting sponsor, or wishlist donor. Once registered, we’ll send you everything you need — marketing materials, collection logistics, and details about volunteer and celebration opportunities.

Let’s make this the biggest and brightest Stuff the Bus yet!

Key Dates

Sign-Up Deadline for Collection Sites: November 7

Tuesday, December 9 – Pick-Up & Drop-Off Day

• The Stuff the Bus Route will travel to as many participating public drop-off and internal collection sites to pick up donations as we can.
  
• If you’re not on the route, you can drop off items at the LA Metro Chamber (415 Lisbon Street, Lewiston) by December 8.
  

Wednesday, December 10 – Volunteer & Celebration Day (Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch)
Want to join us as a volunteer to be part of Stuff the Bus: Sign Up Here! 

• 8:00 – 9:00 AM | Unload the Bus – Volunteer to help unload donations from the bus
  
• 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Organize Gifts – Volunteer to help sort and prepare gifts for our nonprofit partners
  
• 5:00 – 6:30 PM | Connections for a Cause – Stuff the Bus Celebration – A free, open-to-all community celebration recognizing everyone who helped make this year’s effort a success and distributing gifts to local nonprofits
  
  

Who It Helps

Stuff the Bus supports dozens of local organizations who serve individuals and families in need, including. Your participation ensures that everyone in our community — from families and seniors to pets and students — experiences the joy of the holiday season.