Back-to-school costs can be challenging, even for families not already struggling financially, but for families that are struggling, they can be crippling. Struggling families could be faced with the question of choosing between buying school supplies or putting food on the table.  United Way of the Wabash Valley is partnering with local school corporations to help ease the cost for some families.

The annual Stuff the Bus school supply donation drive is a collaboration among United Way of the Wabash Valley, Clay Community Schools, Marshall Community Schools, Martinsville School District, North Central Parke Community School Corporation, Northeast School Corporation, South Vermillion Community School Corporation, Southwest School Corporation, and Vigo County School Corporation. The event will park buses at various locations in the districts and invite the community to donate needed supplies for local students.

One in five local children live in poverty, but having the proper school supplies should not limit their school success.  Richard Payonk, Executive Director of the United Way of the Wabash Valley stated, “School officials tell us that children routinely show up to school without the basic tools they need to do their school work.  The United Way is committed to ensuring that all of our children have access to the basic foundation they need to succeed in school, setting them up for lifelong success.”

It isn’t just about crayons and paper, but it is about giving kids the tools they need to learn,  create and explore.  We’re giving kids the resources to learn new words, solve new math problems, express their creativity and to start each day ready to learn and succeed.  We’re giving families a sigh of relief.

Help us “Stuff the Bus” by donating school supplies to help ensure that local students start their school year with the necessary tools.  All supplies will be distributed by the local school corporations to the children in need in the area they were donated. Please contact the United Way office at 812-235-6287 if you need more information or would like to make a monetary donation.