ROANOKE, Va. – It’s almost time for students to head back to school and it’s important they will have all the supplies needed for the upcoming year.
Load the Bus allows people the opportunity to donate school supplies or money for school supplies to school districts in the area.
Roanoke City Public Schools, Roanoke County Public Schools, Craig County Public Schools, and Salem City Public Schools collaborated together this year at four Walmart locations throughout the Roanoke Valley.
At Friday’s kickoff event, Roanoke City Public Schools Superintendent Verletta White was ecstatic the time had finally come.
“We’re so excited today. This is the most wonderful time of the year. It is back to school time. And this is the time for us to make sure that all of our students have what they need for a successful start to the school year,” White said.
White was joined by Ken Nicely, Superintendent for Roanoke County Public Schools.
And with prices seeming to increase everywhere, donations are more critical than ever.
“Everybody is feeling the pinch right of inflation and higher prices … so anything that anybody can give, whether it’s just one box of crayons or one box of markers or some glue sticks, it really goes a long way of helping out families who are especially this time of year feeling the extra pinch from the economy,” Nicely said.
Volunteers will continue to be at the Walmart locations this weekend. Supplies can be donated from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
After all of the donations are collected, the districts will divvy up the supplies so no one is left empty-handed.
“It doesn’t really matter where you live or where the kids live, it’s all about helping kids in the Roanoke Valley,” Nicely said.
“At the end of the day. It’s about our kids and they will benefit from this collaborative effort,” White said.
Roanoke area’s schools are just some of several places having “Fill the Bus” events.
Below is a list of other areas having similar events:
- Franklin County Public Schools will be at the Rocky Mount Walmart off Old Franklin Turnpike from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Bedford County Public Schools will have collections boxes inside the Walmart off of the Lynchburg Salem Turnpike over the August 6 weekend
- Wythe County Public Schools are collecting school supplies at their Walmart Supercenter in Wytheville from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.