United Way celebrated the end of their summer-long school supply drive, Stuff The Bus, on Tuesday, August 2nd at Char-Broil in Columbus. This was United Way’s third annual Stuff The Bus initiative. Their goal was to stuff 4,000 backpacks full of supplies for schools in our area with the greatest need. Thanks to United Way sponsors and volunteers, the goal was exceeded and 4,620 backpacks were stuffed this year.
 
Following the celebration Tuesday, backpacks were delivered to five Phenix City District schools, three Russell County District schools, and one school in the Harris County District. On Wednesday, backpacks were delivered to 24 schools in Muscogee County.
 
According to Scott Ferguson, President and CEO of United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley, “The outpouring of support from all our sponsors and partners once again was astounding,” Ferguson said. “Together we are investing in our children to give them the chance to have a great first day of school and to feel good about themselves. Thank you to everyone that made these two days possible,” he added.
 
Stuff the Bus sponsors and volunteers have been an integral part of the success of Stuff The Bus. This year’s Stuff The Bus initiative was sponsored by Char-Broil, Chattahoochee Valley Libraries, Columbus GA Young Professionals, iHeartMedia, Little Caesars, Malone Office Environments, PMB Broadcasting, Pratt & Whitney, Publix, Snyder’s Lance, TSYS, Two Men and a Truck, UPS, WestRock, and Yanfeng USA. Over the course of two weeks, individual volunteers, as well as those from local businesses and organizations, sorted supplies and stuffed backpacks.