After “stuffing the bus” with new school supplies, MSU freshmen will be delivering them to the students at the Shabazz Public School Academy in Lansing on Friday, September 14 at the school’s assembly.

The MSU students, who took part in the Multicultural Business Programs Summer Business Institute (SBI) in July, collected over $300 worth of school supplies during their “Stuff the Bus!” community service event for Shabazz Public School Academy students. This successful program is celebrating its 17th year.

In 17 years, the “Stuff the Bus!” service project has purchased over $7,200 in school supplies. The supplies have been donated to the Lansing Public Schools, Red Cedar Elementary in East Lansing, and New City Academy in Lansing. This is the twelfth year the supplies will be donated to Shabazz Public School Academy. The program received the MSU Department of Student Life Outstanding Civic Responsibility Program award in 2010.

At SBI, students are assigned to teams for group projects, including community service. Each student donated school supplies, worked with their team to decorate boxes to store the supplies and presented a team report about the value of community service. The boxes have inspirational themes such as “Reach for the Stars!” “Work Hard! Play Hard!” and “Education is the key.”

“It is a powerful time during the Summer Business Institute. It gives students a chance to reflect on the heroes who helped them overcome obstacles and become successful. Now they have a chance to be a hero to a child in the Lansing community. Stuff the Bus completes the circle of support,” said Anne Crain, Multicultural Business Programs coordinator.

The annual visit to Shabazz Public School Academy is a chance for the MSU freshmen to connect with students in the Lansing community. The MSU students enjoy spending time with the Shabazz students and learning about the school’s unique philosophy and approach to education. “It is our hope that today’s Shabazz student will be tomorrow’s MSU student,” said Dr. Darrell King, Multicultural Business Programs Senior Associate Director.

Following the Summer Business Institute’s lead, the Stuff the Bus community service program inspired the university-wide initiative called Fill the Bus which is part of the fall welcome activities.

SBI is designed for incoming freshmen business majors at MSU. The program provides academic seminars, corporate workshops and other learning experiences for freshmen in order to prepare them for success.