LOWELL — It’s really easy to stuff the bus, as simple as grabbing an extra notebook off the shelves.
For many families in Northwest Arkansas, backto-school time is a period of stress, worrying about how buying all those markers and scissors and everything else will fit into a tight budget. That’s where Stuff the Bus comes in.
The ninth annual drive, held by United Way of Northwest Arkansas, will take place Friday and Saturday at 11 Wal-Mart storesin Benton, Madison and Washington counties, as well as across the state line in McDonald County, Mo. The goal is to assist lowincome families with backto-school expenses by providing them with donated school supplies.
Last year, the drive resulted in some 100,000 items donated, everything from crayons to rulers. The goal for this year is to exceed that figure.
“One of the initiatives of United Way is education,” says Bendi Toland of Bentonville, volunteer center manager for United Way of Northwest Arkansas. “TheStuff the Bus campaign is held so children can go to school prepared. It is a very big expense, and with the economy as it is, sometimes [families] may fall short in school supplies.”
The drive runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. School buses, which have been loaned by school districts, will be parked near store front doors. There, volunteers will pass out school-supply wish lists to anyone who is entering the store and wants to help. (Wal-Mart has donated 4,000 backpacks forthe event.)
There is no minimum or maximum contribution. A person can donate a single glue stick, or fill up several bags with supplies, and they will all be making a difference.
According to Toland, studies have shown that students who begin the school year lacking supplies have lower attendance rates and are more likely to struggle in school. Through communityimpact studies and conversations with school officials throughout the region, United Way of Northwest Arkansas has determined there are approximately 40,000 families in its three-county coverage area who are struggling financially.
“We know what the needs are, and we’re trying to help that need,” Toland says. “[Back-to-school costs] are something that affects everyone with children. For children entering schools without supplies, it’s harder for them to stay engaged and succeed.”
Toland has been the local United Way’s volunteer center manager since January. She is the first person to hold the position full time. Previously, coordinating volunteers was part of another staff member’s job, but the work became great enough that it required a person handling it full time.
As volunteer center manager, Toland oversees all the volunteers who contact her office, as well as the volunteer center. She connects individuals and organizations with nonprofit agencies throughout Northwest Arkansas.
Often, people contact United Way knowing they wantto volunteer, but not knowing how to get started. Or it’s a corporate group, wanting to volunteer as a team-building exercise, but having just a narrow window in which to accomplish it.
Toland says she has arranged volunteer opportunities for groups as large as 70 people.
“There are a lot of people who don’t know quite what to do and how to get their foot through the door, and that’s where I can help to describe the initiatives and missions of different agencies,” she says. “I give them a little direction. That puts some of the teams at ease.”
Stuff the Bus needs additional volunteers to work in two-hour shifts - although some choose to volunteer longer - at a Wal-Mart store of their choosing.
There are volunteers working at the 11 Wal-Marts the entire time the drive is occurring. About 700 volunteers would help ensure the eventruns smoothly. In years past, it has been a popular option for families, particularly those with children, who enjoy delivering the supplies. The donated items can be from any source or retailer.
For more information about the United Way or the Stuff the Bus drive, call (479) 845-6026 or visit
volunteernwa.org
.
Northwest Profile, Pages 31 on 07/29/2012