Time to ‘Stuff the Bus’

Before reading, writing and arithemitic can begin, students need supplies like paper, pencils and pens.

United Way of Acadiana, in partnership with Cargill Salt and Cox Communications, invites Acadiana to ‘Stuff the Bus’ August 4-9. Stuff the Bus is a community-wide school supply drive that removes obstacles for familes and children and ensures they begin the school year equipped with the tools they need to succeed. 

“Stuff the Bus is one of the many ways we can come together as a community to invest in the success of children in Acadiana,” explained Keler Williams, United Way of Acadiana Director of Volunteer Mobilization. “We invite everyone to be a part of this effort to give all students the opportunity to do great things in the classroom despite their cirumstances.”

Acadia Parish’s drop-off date and location is Aug. 6 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Acadia Parish School Board, located at 2402 N. Parkerson Ave. in Crowley.

Recommended supplies include notebooks, pencils, crayons, folders, glue, scissors, paper towels, construction paper, rulers, ink pens, red pens, erasers, glue sticks, binders, highlighters, pencil sharpeners, index cards and loose-leaf paper. 

“There is a lot of need in our schools,” said James Prudhomme, supervisor of child welfare and attendance for Vermilion Parish schools. “When they have supplies, they feel equal. Their eyes light up. And we want children to have the best opportunity to succeed.”

Stuff the Bus launches the Monday after the 2014 Louisiana Annual Sales Tax Holiday weekend, during which school supply purchases are tax exempt and may qualify as tax deductible.

To coordinate an internal school supply drive at your business or organization, to volunteer to collect, sort or deliver supplies and to access the complete list of recommended supplies needed, visit www.UnitedWayofAcadiana.org or contact UWA Director of Volunteer Mobilization at 337-706-1234 or Keler.Williams@UnitedWayofAcadiana.org. 

After supplies are sorted the donated supplies will be distributed the week of August 18 to schools in Acadiana. Last year, the community donated more than 34,000 school supplies which filled 2,225 tote bags that were delivered to 50 schools.