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Inside The Salvation Army Distribution Center in Aurora, Colorado, two teams of volunteers from Walmart formed assembly lines, competing against each other to see who could fill more backpacks with school supplies July 19.
At the end of the day, the total was read: One team filled 1,050 bags, the other, 450.
The objections were audible, Walmart Market People Partner Zach Christenberry said—the second team’s number seemed too low. They were invested.
“Faces were filled with surprise, and there were groans and protests that the numbers couldn’t be right,” Christenberry said. “Later, we discovered that a count sheet had been missed. With the corrected total, we learned that 2,015 backpacks had been filled, making the competition much closer between both teams.”
The spirited competition among the 50 Walmart volunteers was part of The Salvation Army’s Stuff the Bus campaign in the Denver metro area. Through Stuff the Bus, The Salvation Army partners with local retailers, including several Walmart locations, to collect school supplies for children in need, lightening the financial load for hardworking families.
In Denver, it’s not the first time the groups have collaborated. Last year, Walmart held a coat drive to benefit those living in The Salvation Army’s shelters in addition to participating in giving back during Christmastime and volunteering at several Salvation Army locations.
“Walmart associates are always eager to support their communities,” Christenberry said. “Since our associates both work and live in these neighborhoods, the people we’re helping are not just customers—they’re also neighbors and friends. This connection makes our involvement even more meaningful.”
Ahead of the Stuff the Bus event, the Walmart team secured 4,000 backpacks—the majority of the 4,300 backpacks The Salvation Army plans to distribute ahead of back-to-school. Christenberry reached out to Walmart’s accessory buyer, who connected them with the backpack supplier, who generously donated the 4,000 bags.
“Providing these essentials not only supports the kids, but also helps parents focus on other important back-to-school preparations, such as clothing, enrolling in sports, or arranging meals.”
Zach Christenberry
“These are high quality backpacks,” said Intermountain Division Corporate Relations Director Thomas Gonzalez, noting the backpacks range in style, from Mario Brothers to trendy ones young adults would like. “They are really nice, and this is something that would retail for a minimum of $24.99 in their stores, so that was a big win.”
In addition to the backpacks, Christenberry said the Walmart team also secured a $10,000 grant from Community Manager Andrew Bush to help purchase school supplies and other essentials needed by The Salvation Army for the Stuff the Bus event, and they placed collection barrels at 27 Walmart store locations throughout the Denver area to gather school supplies—not just for Stuff the Bus, but to provide ongoing support throughout the year.
“Our goal is to ensure that children can attend school ready to learn,” Christenberry said. “Without the proper supplies, students can become distracted from their education, which may lead to other challenges in their lives. Providing these essentials not only supports the kids, but also helps parents focus on other important back-to-school preparations, such as clothing, enrolling in sports, or arranging meals.”
The backpacks filled with supplies were distributed to families at the end of July and early August at The Salvation Army’s Denver locations, Gonzalez said, adding that Walmart employees volunteered to finish stuffing the remaining backpacks and help with the distribution events.
“It’s been incredible support from one organization,” Gonzalez said. “Only Walmart has the ability to really provide this level of support, not only with a large donation, but also in providing a volunteer workforce to help with this activity. It’s been first class.”
It’s all part of a larger partnership—for more than 40 years, Walmart and The Salvation Army have partnered for good.
During the 2024 holiday season, The Salvation Army Western Territory reported Walmart stores across the region raised over $4 million. Additionally, the partnership ensured thousands of children had gifts under the tree on Christmas morning through the Angel Tree campaign.
With Stuff the Bus events held in many communities throughout the western U.S., thousands of children will be ready for the new school year.
“We are deeply grateful to Walmart and their local teams for their continued support,” said The Salvation Army Western Territorial Corporate Engagement Director Amy Hudson. “The strong relationships built at the local level have made a meaningful difference in the lives of the families we serve, helping ensure that students head back to school with the supplies they need to succeed.”
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