United Way’s Stuff The Bus initiative, a school supply drive for local children in need, will be delivering backpacks to schools on Thursday, August 6th and Friday, August 7th at 8:00 AM from Flat Rock Studios. This year there was not an official program, but staff and volunteers will load trucks and deliver to schools. This was United Way’s seventh annual Stuff The Bus initiative. United Way’s goal this year as every year was to provide needed backpacks and school supplies for area K-2nd graders. This year, in addition to filled backpacks, schools received donations of PPE supplies including almost 200 gallons of hand sanitizer. Thanks to the sponsors, volunteers, and companies, who helped make this year successful, 4.878 backpacks were filled!  

Over the course of two weeks, individual volunteers, as well as those from local businesses and organizations, sorted supplies and filled backpacks. This year’s sorting and packing had its own unique challenges due to coronavirus, but United Way volunteers stepped up yet again to serve the community.  

Schools in Phenix City, Russell County, Muscogee County, and Harris County received backpacks. All of the schools receiving backpacks are Title I schools. 

“We are so fortunate to live in a community where we support one another! We are grateful for our company sponsors and the hundreds of volunteers who worked to make this drive so successful. We know this year has had many challenges and unknowns. While there is some uncertainty, we do know there is a great need for children to start their school year prepared with the supplies they need to be successful.” said Denise Guthrie, Coordinator of Special Events for United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley. 

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 Amerigroup Real Solutions, Campbell Snacks, Califormulations, Char-Broil, Columbus State University’s CSU Servant Leadership Program- Class of 2020, CTV BEAM, Daniel Appliance, Refresco, Georgia Power, HangerOne, iHeartMedia, International Paper, Malone Office Environments, PMB Broadcasting, Publix, TSYS/Global Payments, Two Men And A Truck, UPS, and W.C. Bradley.