That’s why United Way is hosting its first Stuff the Bus school supply drive for children and teens. The goal is to equip local youth for success in school now and throughout the school year.
Because students' supply needs don't end when school begins, Stuff the Bus will run through October. United Way asks members of the community to consider hosting supply drives at their businesses, schools or places of worship. Posters, flyers and school supply lists are all online at LiveUnitedChattanooga.org. Cash donations for school supplies will also be accepted. Any amount is welcome.
Three public collection events have already been held. Porter’s Steak House held a school supply drive in July and collected more than $1,200 in supplies. United Way asked the community to help Stuff the Bus at the Chattanooga Market on Sunday and filled up a small school bus.
The local Publix stores, which held a school supply sale to benefit United Way, collected approximately $4,000 in school supplies and dropped them off at the Market. UBS Financial Services, Chambliss Bahnner and Stophel, and Cohutta Banking Company also dropped off supplies they had been collecting, as did many individual donors. United Way estimates it collected more than $6,000 in school supplies on Sunday. A collection was also held at United Way’s annual Campaign Kickoff during the joint Rotary and Kiwanis luncheon at the Chattanooga Convention and Trade Center.
United Way's 2-1-1 Center will help in the distribution of the supplies. Anyone in need of supplies can dial 2-1-1 for assistance. People should call 2-1-1 after Oct. 30 for days and hours of operation and exact locations.
The distribution locations are as follows: Marion County Ministries 942-9556 141 Alabama, Sequatchie, Tennessee; Rossville Community Ministries 706 861-5748 100 Spring Street, Rossville, Ga.; Northside Neighborhood House 267-2217 211 Minor St., North Chattanooga; St. Elmo Avenue Baptist Church 821-4724 4501 Virginia Avenue, Chattanooga; Building Stable Lives, East Lake 867-9785 3701 Dodds Ave.; and Ridgedale Baptist Church 499-0994, 1831 Hickory Valley Road.
To drop off donated supplies, take them to United Way’s Gift in Kind warehouse at 700 East 11th St., Monday-Friday, from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. each day.
To make a donation or need help putting together a school supply drive in a company go to www.LiveUnitedChattanooga.org or call 752-0300.