United Way of Greater Augusta Stuff the Bus campaign aids local schools, students

As the new school year gets underway, thousands of local students have the tools needed in order to be successful thanks to Stuff the Bus 2015.

Held during Virginia’s Tax Free Weekend August 7-9, United Way of Greater Augusta, Wal-Mart, the local school systems, and community member volunteers collected supplies totaling over $54,000 in value.  United Way of Greater Augusta hand delivered all the supplies to each of the 31 public schools in Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County all before the first day of classes started.

Almost 300 volunteers worked over the weekend at Wal-Mart stores in Staunton and Waynesboro to collect supplies donated by shoppers, civic groups, churches, and businesses.  Many of the volunteers represented local schools or civic groups, thrilled that they could be a part of something that helps local families.

With more than 7,000 students on free and reduced school lunch in the Greater Augusta region, purchasing school supplies can place a burden on working families struggling to get by.  Stuff the Bus not only benefits many of the 22% of children living in poverty in the region, but also provides assistance to working families that may be financially insecure.

For more information, contact the United Way of Greater Augusta at 540-885-1229 or email, [email protected].