The Salvation Army invites Clark Countians to “Stuff The Bus” Saturday.

The school supply drive runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Winchester Walmart.

Eva Miller, Family Resource Center Coordinator at Justice Elementary School, said Clark County Public Schools Family Resource and Youth Services centers will provide the supplies to students in need through the schools.

“Although CCPS provides all students with school supplies at the beginning of the new school year in all Clark County schools, the FRCs and YSCs will have contact with students and families who need help with additional items needed for the classroom,” Miller said. “The FRC and YSC Coordinators provide items to students throughout the school year and this will allow us to help meet the needs of many of our students.”

Shannon Cox, who works with the Salvation Army, approached Miller to help plan the event. Walmarts across the nation allow Salvation Army to sponsor Stuff The Bus at its store, but this event will be Winchester’s first.

“The Salvation Army has been doing this in other areas awhile but  have partnered with Walmart for the first time in our area,” Cox said.

New items needed include: pencils, backpacks, folders, Elmer’s glue sticks, new children or adult size underwear, spiral binders, crayons, markers, colored pencils, paper towels, sanitizing wipes, tissue boxes, notebook paper and more.

“Participation is important because the supplies given away at the beginning of the year soon run out,” Cox said. “It  is important to remember the school year is a marathon, not a sprint.”

Students need supplies in November and January like they do in August.

“Many of our kids are in need of help,” Cox said. “I strive to help those kids. Also, we need to remember we have a lot of grandparents raising grandkids who really need our help.”

Cox said he has no doubt Clark County will show its generosity once again as it has done in the past.

“I cannot think of a time when this community did not step up, and I know the community will continue that work,” he said.

Miller said Stuff The Bus aids the FRYSC mission which is to enhance students’ abilities to succeed in school that promote early learning and successful transition into school, academic achievement and well-being that leads to graduation and transition into adult life. 

“This will give students tools needed to be successful,” Miller said. “Every student should have the same opportunity to succeed regardless of their financial situations. Our community is wonderful and always willing to supported our mission to help students learn.”