BENEFITS WITH FRIENDS

United Way fills buses for students in need

Lori McCool of Pea Ridge hands Sarah Ann Pendergraft of Fayetteville donated school items as they volunteer during a previous United Way Stuff the Bus event at the Walmart store at Mall Avenue and Joyce Boulevard in Fayetteville. The event is now called Fill the Bus and will be July 24 and 25 at most Walmart Supercenters in Northwest Arkansas.
Lori McCool of Pea Ridge hands Sarah Ann Pendergraft of Fayetteville donated school items as they volunteer during a previous United Way Stuff the Bus event at the Walmart store at Mall Avenue and Joyce Boulevard in Fayetteville. The event is now called Fill the Bus and will be July 24 and 25 at most Walmart Supercenters in Northwest Arkansas.

If you've shopped a supermarket in the last week or so, you know that Independence Day decorations and pool noodles have yielded their shelf space to school supplies.

The United Way of Northwest Arkansas hopes capitalize on those full shelves and Fill the Bus with school supplies for children in need July 24 and 25 at area Walmart Supercenters. The group will collect school supplies in a school bus manned by volunteers at each participating store.

Fill the Bus

Who: United Way of Northwest Arkansas

What: The nonprofit organization hopes to fill buses with school supplies for children in need

When: July 24 & 25

Where: Northwest Arkansas Walmart Supercenters

Information: (479) 750-1221 or unitedwaynwa.org

Formerly known as Stuff the Bus, the initiative is now nationwide, but locally it serves children in kindergarten through high school in 13 Northwest Arkansas public school districts. Children in need of supplies are typically identified by their school counselors or nurses, and many participate in the free or reduced lunch program.

Volunteers are still needed for both days at the Siloam Springs, Springdale and both Fayetteville Walmart Supercenters. Friday shifts are for two hours, and Saturday shifts are 1 1/2 hours. Volunteers may also sign up for multiple shifts.

Supplies for older children -- among them spiral notebooks, 2-inch binders and backpacks -- are especially needed. "People are great about getting Elmer's glue and rounded scissors that younger children need," but older kids need assistance also, says Alexa McGriff, Northwest Arkansas United Way marketing and communications director.

The supply drive lends itself to family participation, McGriff adds.

"Children can help pick out supplies and know they're helping kids their age."

-- CARIN SCHOPPMEYER

[email protected]

NAN Our Town on 07/16/2015

Upcoming Events