United Way of Greater Texarkana is gearing up for Stuff the Bus, an effort that collects school supplies for children in need. Donation boxes will be at retailers around Texarkana until the end of July.
"We just want to take care of the need within the community," said Mark Bledsoe, president/CEO of United Way. "Supplies are just so expensive, and unfortunately families are left to decide what the necessities are and what they can make do with or without. Is it going to be food, clothing, gas or a combination? So if we help with these needs it makes it easier on the household."
Last year Stuff the Bus collected 1,600 backpacks that were filled with school supplies. This year the goal is to collect 1,700, but Bledsoe said the need is greater than that and estimated there are up to 5,000 children in the region that could use help. Children in need of school supplies should go through their school counselors.
Starting school with all the necessary classroom tools is good for youths' confidence.
"It takes a lot of pressure off of kids. Just imagine starting off a class and you don't have the proper tools and you're at a disadvantage. Being able to start the year off right and on equal footing with other kids helps with self-esteem," Bledsoe said.
Stuff the Bus is also helpful to local teachers, who often spend money for their students' school supplies.
"When we talked to these teachers, they're having to come out of pocket $150 to $200. There are needs that have to be met. The United Way through different programs is trying to meet those needs, and this is one of them that's vital. We just appreciate the public's support. They've always helped with the challenges," Bledsoe said.
Everything collected through Stuff the Bus stays local. Stuff the Bus is organized and driven by local volunteers. Since it is a United Way program, donations are tax deductible.
Items collected through Stuff the Bus will be taken to Texarkana Resources for the Disabled and sorted before being given to children in local schools.
For more information, call the United Way office at 903-794-3105.
School supply drop-off locations are:
- Harte Hanks, 1825 N. Robinson Road No. 5
- TEXAR (all locations)
- CHRISTUS St. Michael, 2600 St. Michael Drive, Texarkana, Texas
- Wadley Regional Medical Center, 1000 Pine St., Texarkana, Texas
- B. Jaxx, 1401 College Drive, Texarkana, Texas
- Shelter Insurance, 1600 Arkansas Blvd. Suite 101, Texarkana, Ark.
- BancorpSouth (all locations)
- Cooper Tire Plant, 3500 Washington St., Texarkana, Ark.
- Mr. Speedy, 4119 N. State Line Ave., Texarkana, Texas
- Riggs Tractor, 2400 Trinity Blvd., Texarkana, Ark.
- Anytime Fitness, 2229 Trinity Blvd., Texarkana, Ark.
- Regions Bank (all locations)
- ORR Classic, 4333 Mall Lane, Texarkana, Texas
- Wells Fargo at 2317 Richmond Road, Texarkana, Texas; 1301 Arkansas Blvd., Texarkana, Ark.; 3615 E. 9th St., Texarkana, Ark.
- Walmart Supercenter, 4000 New Boston Road, Texarkana, Texas and 4415 N. State Line Ave., Texarkana, Ark.