By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
Area residents got out during tax free weekend and contributed a massive amount of school supplies to the annual Stuff the Bus Campaign.
Community members from St. Joseph and the surrounding area donated 14,784 school supply items to the drive held by the United Way of Greater St. Joseph. In addition, community members donated nearly $2,000 to allow United Way to purchase supplies that were not donated.
Community members have donated more than 277,000 school supply items since United Way STUFF THE BUS! began in 2009.
The collected school supplies will be distributed through United Way Partner Agencies and Programs including, The Salvation Army. When students have the tools they need, they enter school better prepared to learn.
“The caring power of community was strongly visible this weekend! Community members' generosity will reach hundreds of students in the area. The goals of United Way STUFF THE BUS! are to ease financial strain on parents, caregivers, teachers and schools by collecting supplies to distribute to students, provide an easy way for community members to support education and elevate it’s importance in our community, and provide a meaningful volunteer activity for all ages," United Way President, Kylee Strough said in a news release.
"We wish to extend our sincere appreciation to Mosaic Life Care for sponsoring the event, Walmart, First Student bus company, the volunteers, and the hundreds of shoppers & donors who made the effort a success, as well as the many companies who hosted supply drives for their employees. Thank you to the community for coming together to help ensure children can start school with the tools and supplies needed to be successful in the classroom.”
Families who may need assistance with school supplies collected from this year’s United Way STUFF THE BUS! School Supplies Drive are encouraged to call The Salvation Army at 816-232-5824 to learn more about their school supply distribution which will take place on August 10, 2023.