Published: July 19, 2008 07:48 pm      

United Way sees enormous need to ‘Stuff the Bus’

BLUEFIELD — Faced with soaring gas, food and utility prices, the burden on needy families trying to get their children ready for school could be greater than ever this year.

With a goal of assisting area families, the United Way of the Virginias is once again calling upon the community for help in collecting school supplies for children living in Mercer, McDowell and Tazewell counties as part of its “Stuff the Bus” campaign, Michelle Williams, executive director of the United Way of the Virginias, said.

“It’s also going to cost more to drive to places to get things for the kids,” Williams said. “The great thing about Stuff the Bus is it is one of those things where one person can do something very small, but if more people do it, it just builds and builds. This is one of those things where you can go and spend $2 and get a box of crayons, a notebook and maybe a package of pencils. And what you have done is help give the child the confidence and tools needed to start the school year.”

Williams said the National Retail Federation estimates parents will spend more than $525 per child this year for back-to-school items.

“That also includes clothing and shoes,” she said. “For some parents that can be an incredible hardship, but still their kids need to be ready for school.”

Williams said the average teacher also spends more than $500 of his or her own money on supplies for the classroom, which are often used by the teacher throughout the year.

To help collect school supplies and monetary donations for those families needing help getting their children ready for back to school, a school bus will once again will be visiting area shopping centers. Williams said on August 2, 3, 9 and 10, the “Stuff the Bus” teams will be headquartered outside the Princeton Wal-Mart, Bluefield, Va. Wal-Mart, Kimball Wal-Mart, Pounding Mill Wal-Mart and the Tazewell Magic Mart from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on each Saturday and from 1 to 6 p.m. on each Sunday.

“The great thing about it is it’s a lot of people working together,” Williams said. “We get volunteers from our United Way partners. We get with volunteers with our local schools. Everybody does a little bit. And because of that it helps so many kids.”

Williams said shoppers at the Bluefield, Va. Wal-Mart will have the option of donating to Mercer and/or Tazewell County schools.

Those who may need help in determining what school supplies are needed can visit www.unitedwayofthevirginias.org to see a suggested list of supplies.

Williams said monetary donations are also welcome and should be sent to Stuff the Bus c/o United Way at P.O. Box 1515, Bluefield, W.Va., 24701. Williams said those who donate are welcome to designate to the county where they would like their donation to be used.

Williams said anyone wishing to help with the volunteer effort, or any business that is willing to be a collection point for Stuff the Bus, is asked to contact the United Way at (276) 322-2606.

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com