By Damien Willis on Jul 10, 2026

Stuff the Bus returns Saturday with free backpacks, haircuts and family fun at DACC

Families can enjoy free backpacks, haircuts, first-day-of-school photos, games and more Saturday at DACC while helping collect school supplies for local classrooms.

DACC Community Philanthropy Las Cruces Events Education LCPS Local

A promotional graphic announces the 2026 Stuff the Bus event, set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at the DACC East Mesa campus. The free family event will collect school supplies for local students and teachers. (Courtesy graphic / Bravo Mic Communications)

The annual event combines games, activities and community resources with a school supply drive benefiting local students and teachers.

Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News

LAS CRUCES - Families can enjoy free backpacks, haircuts, games and other back-to-school activities Saturday while helping collect school supplies for local students during the annual Stuff the Bus event at Doña Ana Community College.

The free community event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at DACC's East Mesa campus, 2800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd., inside the Student Resources Building.

Hosted by DACC in partnership with Bravo Mic Communications and Nusenda Credit Union, Stuff the Bus collects new school supplies that will be distributed to students and teachers throughout the upcoming school year.

But organizers say the event is designed to be much more than a donation drive.

Families can enjoy free first-day-of-school photos, a STEM exploration station, building block activities, a coloring corner, cornhole, speed stacking competitions, a foam party, games, community resource booths and food trucks throughout the morning.

Children can also receive free haircuts and free backpacks while supplies last.

Organizers are asking attendees to bring new school supplies such as backpacks, notebooks, folders, pencils, crayons, glue, markers, binders and other classroom essentials to donate. They are also seeking personal care items including toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine hygiene products and travel-size laundry detergent to help students start the school year prepared.

Anyone unable to attend Saturday can drop off donations in advance at the DACC Workforce Center, 2345 E. Nevada Ave., Office 100B. Donations are also being accepted through Friday at Nusenda Credit Union locations, Memorial Medical Center, Del Valle Physical Therapy & Hand Therapy, MECA Therapies, Sun City Finance and Milan Institute.

Organizers said every donation helps ensure local students have the supplies they need to begin the new school year ready to learn.

Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.

Keep Reading

New Mexico Environment Department to hold hearing for Project Jupiter data center air quality permit — The hearing follows strong public interest and allegations that supportive comments used residents’ and elected officials’ names without permission.

New Mexico health officials warn of heat illness as temperatures top 100 — More than 450 people have sought emergency care for heat-related conditions statewide since April 1.

Organ Mountain News featured on New Mexico In Focus — Founder and editor Damien Willis discusses local journalism, community listening and building an independent newsroom in southern New Mexico.