Stuff the Bus

United Way is collecting school supplies and living essentials as part of its annual Stuff the Bus drive Thursday, Aug. 8. More than 100 volunteers will be at one of three buses donated by Big Sky Bus Lines that are parked at Target and both Walmarts.

Supplies collected through community drives and from shoppers that day will be given to local kids through the public schools and area nonprofits. This year’s Stuff the Bus will also provide supplies for the Back 2 School Blast on Aug. 16.

The Back 2 School Blast will have free food, free haircuts, free backpacks and more from noon to 4 p.m. at the Civic Center. Kids who haven’t pre-registered for backpacks are still able to get one on a first come basis.

“Many of our kids need more than crayons and calculators,” said United Way of Cascade County Marketing Director Kim Skornogoski. “We know that if students don’t have shampoo to wash their hair, or have a toothache from not brushing their teeth, they can’t focus as well in the classroom.”

Many lessons involve computers and other technology, making inexpensive earbuds or headphones as important as notebooks and pencils.

Now in its 15th year, the Stuff the Bus event has grown, reaching more and more students in need. Skornogoski said last year people donated more than 15,000 items.

“Each year, the community amazes us with their generosity,” Skornogoski said. “And as a result, we are able to help more and more kids.”

Topping the list of needed items are backpacks, composition notebooks, earbuds and dry erase markers.

People can volunteer, find a list of needed supplies and donate at https://www.uwccmt.org/stuff-the-bus. Donations can also be mailed to PO Box 1343, Great Falls, MT 59403. To sponsor a student is $50.