Courtesy Pixabay
The “Back to School” season is about upon us. The United Way of Greater Texarkana is once again making sure that no child is left behind by ensuring new backpacks will school supplies are available for area children. Please support this essential opportunity. Click here to donate online “Stuff The Bus.”
The “Stuff the Bus” Program through United Way of Greater Texarkana has furnished much-needed supplies to several students in and around the Texarkana area. For the 2020-2021school year, the program distributed over 1865 backpacks (A RECORD) filled with supplies to area schools, and donated supplies to some of the partnering agencies to give several students an opportunity to have a better school term. Over the years we have asked several businesses to allow collection boxes to be placed in their location to assist with the collection of donated supplies. We also received line items from organizations, businesses, and individuals to aid in filling the backpacks.
Our community has been outstanding in helping the Stuff the Bus Program succeed in reaching the goal each year, and with the help of several civic, social, and Greek organizations along with community volunteers, churches, and businesses we were able to exceed our goal of filling 1800 backpacks with much-needed supplies. With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, our community showed great resilience and a strong sense of coming together to make the Stuff the Bus Program accomplish its goal. The program shifted to fill the backpacks and those organizations who assisted in packing shifted with us by donating financially to help fill those needed backpacks. This year the Stuff the Bus committee will be asking for monetary donations in lieu of supplies. These donations will be used to purchase supplies and backpacks in bulk which gives the program the buying power necessary to accommodate more students.
The program may not be able to reach every child, but with the help and resources of our community, we can increase our capacity and extend help to surrounding neighboring organizations. The 2021-2022 school year will begin earlier this Fall for several school districts, and to culminate with those dates the STB Program is already preparing to deliver on time. Along with grants and donated funds we can continue to be a consistent positive difference in the lives of our children.
We have an amazing support system in our area and are truly grateful for the help to make the 2021-2022 school year Stuff the Bus Program a success. All donations are tax deductible and can be sent to: The United Way of Greater Texarkana | 214 Spruce Street | Texarkana, Texas 75501
Please note that your contribution is for Stuff the Bus.
We are always thankful to every person, business, organization, and agency that helps make a difference in our community. Together we can and will make a difference.