United Way celebrated the end of their summer-long school supply drive, Stuff The Bus, on Wednesday, August 2nd at Char-Broil in Columbus. This was United Way’s fourth annual Stuff The Bus initiative. United Way’s goal this year was to fill as many backpacks full of supplies as they did last year, which was 4,620 backpacks. Thanks to the sponsors and volunteers, the goal was exceeded and 5,226 backpacks were filled with school supplies this year. United Way believes that this is the area’s largest school supply drive.
 
Over the course of two weeks, individual volunteers, as well as those from local businesses and organizations, sorted supplies and filled backpacks.
 
Following the celebration Wednesday, backpacks were delivered to 24 Title I schools in Muscogee County. On Wednesday, backpacks will be delivered to five Phenix City District schools, three Russell County District schools, and one school in the Harris County District, all Title I schools.
 
“Thanks to the generosity of our community members, 5,226 children in need will have the tools they need to succeed in school this year,” said Scott Ferguson, President & CEO of United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley. “United Way sends a huge thank you to all the donors and volunteers. Once again, you made Stuff The Bus a success. Not only are the backpacks filled with supplies, they’re filled with love, care and hope that each child will have a successful year,” he added.