Donations will be distributed to Fayette County students in need.
With the start of school just around the corner, United Way of Fayette County, local businesses, and community members are teaming up to collect supplies for students in need. Items donated to the "Stuff the Bus" collection drives, will be distributed during the Backpack Giveaway at The Well at Sunnyside on Saturday, August 18, from 2 to 4 p.m. Fayette County parents must bring their children to The Well, 721 S. Fayette Street, to get free supplies and a backpack.
Merchants National Bank recently joined the cause last week by donating fifty backpacks and cinch sacks.
"This has truly been a community effort," said Whitney Gentry of United Way, who is coordinating Stuff the Bus. "We have collection drives and collection bins and so many local businesses in addition to the donations of money and supplies. We will be able to prepare a lot of kids for school."
She said about 200 children benefited from the distribution last year, so they anticipate the need will be greater for the upcoming school year.
In fact, any remaining supplies will be donated to the four public schools in Fayette County: Head Start Early Learning Center, Starting Gate Early Childhood Center, Miami Trace Local Schools, and Washington Court House City Schools.
There is still time to donate, though, as a collection drive is being held in Fayette County's Walgreen's store, Tuesday, August 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., while another collection drive at the local Wal-Mart store is slated for Saturday, August 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Additionally, those who wish to donate supplies may do so through August 10 at the white collection bins located at any of the following businesses: Advantage Bank, Citizens National Bank, Court House Chiropractic, Deblin Designs, Kroger, Walgreen’s Wal-Mart, Trends on Court, Fayette Co Family YMCA, Fifth Third Bank, Carnegie Library, Merchants National Bank, Cargill, Crop Production Services, Dollar General, US Bank, Milton Banking Company.
Submitted photo.
