Families throughout the New River Valley have already sent their children back to school.
This year’s United Way Stuff the Bus campaign saw widespread support from our community and packed supplies for 586 local low-income children with backpacks brimming with school supplies.
Local businesses collected donations and served as convenient drop-off locations across the New River Valley, while residents donated supplies and helped stuff buses during the Stuff the Bus event at Walmart in Christiansburg during the last weekend in July.
United Way of the New River Valley said that it would like to thank the local New River Valley community for donating more than $9,000 worth of school supplies for area children in need.
Local non-profits Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program (MCEAP), Floyd County Emergency Assistance Program (FCEAP) and Radford Clothing Bank helped to identify students that needed school supply assistance.
This year in addition to distribution at FCEAP and the Radford Clothing Bank, United Way hosted a Distribution Day for Montgomery County students. This event held at Great Road Hall events center allowed local partner agencies that serve children and families the opportunity to set up a booth to talk about various services available to those families.
“It is incredibly rewarding to play a part in helping local children with school supplies.” Stated Marcela Jara, United Way’s Community Engagement Director. “When I talk to struggling families, the thought of the additional expense of purchasing school supplies seems overwhelming to them.
By working together as a community, we can provide a backpack full of supplies, relief for local parents, and a great foundation to help kids in our community have the best start to their school year.”
On behalf of the families and children served, United Way would like to express sincere appreciation to each donor, volunteer, and partner charity that played a hand in the success of this year’s Stuff the Bus school supply drive.
For additional information or to find out how you can help next year, contact the United Way of the New River Valley’s office at (540) 381-2066 or by email at info@unitedwaynrv.org.
