Nearly 30,000 Books Donated to Support Central Iowa Kids Through Stuff the Bus Book Drive

Thanks to the incredible generosity of employees from more than 25 organizations and countless individuals across the community, United Way of Central Iowa collected nearly 30,000 children’s books during its annual Stuff the Bus book drive, sponsored by Athene, EY, and 93.3 KIOA. The results were announced today at the community-wide drop-off event hosted by Athene in West Des Moines. 

Ruan Transportation Management Systems will provide delivery of all donated books to United Way of Central Iowa, where they will be sorted and distributed to more than 100 childcare centers, in-home providers, school-based programs, and youth programs across Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties. Book distribution will also open to the public beginning Thursday, May 15. For more details, visit unitedwaydm.org/stuff-the-bus or follow United Way of Central Iowa on social media.   

“At United Way of Central Iowa, we know that a thriving community starts with a strong foundation in education, and that foundation is built early,” said Mary Sellers, president of United Way of Central Iowa. “Access to age-appropriate books fuels imagination, builds confidence, and lays the groundwork for lifelong learning. Yet only 63% of third graders in central Iowa are reading proficiently—a number that has declined by 2.5% over the past year. Through initiatives like Stuff the Bus, we’re working together to change that story by getting books directly into the hands of children who need them most.” 

This year’s drive emphasized collecting books for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers—recognizing the critical role early brain development plays in school readiness and long-term success. The effort aligns with two of United Way of Central Iowa’s UNITED to THRIVE strategic focus areas: Early Childhood Success and Education Success. 

“Athene is honored to support Stuff the Bus for more than a decade,” said Grant Kvalheim, president and CEO of Athene USA. “We are passionate about helping children learn to read because once they do, reading becomes the foundation for learning everything else. Supporting childhood literacy is a powerful way we can build brighter futures in central Iowa.” 

Organizations and individuals were encouraged to collect new and like-new children’s books, with a special emphasis on non-fiction, STEM-related, bilingual, and inclusive stories featuring diverse characters. Research shows that access to books at home is one of the strongest indicators of a child's academic success, and today’s donations will help bridge gaps for thousands of children. 

“The EY purpose is to build a better working world, and that starts right here in our own community,” said Phil Randall, Financial Accounting Advisory Services Partner at EY US. “Together, we’re helping children get the stories, tools, and confidence they need to succeed—not just in school, but in life." 

United Way of Central Iowa invites everyone to continue making an impact: visit www.unitedwaydm.org/volunteer to find volunteer opportunities and learn more about supporting local children and families. Together, we can ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.