Hickory – Now through August 10, 2017, Catawba County United Way (CCUW) is conducting its annual Stuff the Bus school supply drive. With United Way’s focus on education, this community-wide collection drive of school supplies   gives local corporate and individual volunteers the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and families throughout Catawba County.

For more than 23 years, students in all three county school systems have received items collected through CCUW’s Stuff the Bus  school supply drive.

“For parents and guardians back-to-school time is tough. Providing the necessary school supplies for their children can be a real financial hardship. When children receive donated school supplies, parents are able to use their often limited financial resources to pay for the basic needs of the family – food, utilities, mortgage or rent. And, children have greater self-esteem when they have the supplies they need and that are the same as their peers.  said Sylvia Long, Director of Community Impact at CCUW.

Items  being collected are  2” and 3” three ring binders, book bags, marble notebooks, notebook paper, pens, pencils, glue sticks, dividers with tabs and pockets and mechanical pencils. Other items include pencil pouches, scissors, spiral notebooks, colored pencils, markers, erasers, folders, Kleenex and hand sanitizer. Donations  may dropped off  at the City of Hickory at City Hall,  City of Newton at City Hall, Town of Maiden at Town Hall, City of Claremont at City Hall,  Catawba County Library, Newton;  Graystone Eye,  participating BB&T locations and Catawba County United Way. Monetary donations may be made to Catawba County United Way, PO Box 2425, Hickory, NC 28603 with Stuff the Bus noted on the check. All supplies donated will be sorted and packaged by volunteers for pick-up by local school personnel prior to school starting in the fall.

If your company or organization would like to host a donation drive in support of Stuff the Bus or for more information about our programs, contact Sylvia Long, CCUW Director of Community Impact at slong@ccunitedway or 828/327-6851.