Stuff the Bus wish list
1. School supplies (pencils, pens, paper, backpacks, crayons, washable markers) Please keep the supplies generic
2. 8 ½ x 11 white copy paper and legal pads ( 5x8 or 8 ½ x 11 ¾”)
3. Diapers, formula, wipes
4. Food ( nonperishable)
5. New or gently used clothing, socks, and shoes(infant to late teens)
6. Art/craft supplies new/unused (paint, paper, poster board, glue)
7. Children’s books
8. Coats, hats gloves all sizes
9. Cooking supplies (serving/eating utensils, pots/pans)
10. First aid supplies
11. Games, toys
12. Household items(toilet paper, trash bags, paper towels, dish detergent and laundry detergent) Personal care items shampoo/conditioner, soap, toothbrushes)
Sometimes when it comes to the agencies in Barton and Pawnee counties that serve those in need, that need isn’t about money.
So, United Way of Central Kansas will hold its first “Stuff the Bus” campaign from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, in the Wal-Mart parking lot, 3503 10th in Great Bend. A Unified School District 428 school bus will be filled with school supplies, baby care items, non-perishable foods, and other goods, said Julie Bugner-Smith, UWCK executive director.
“These agencies not only need money, they need supplies,” Bugner-Smith said. UWCK serves 19 organizations in the two counties.
The 2011 United Way campaign opens Sept. 1 with a goal of $235,000. But, “sometimes people can’t give money,” Bugner-Smith said, adding this opportunity gives everyone a chance to participate.
“Our goal is to fill the bus,” she said. “If everyone works together, we’ll be able to ‘stuff the bus’ with stuff our agencies need to help support the most vulnerable members of our community.”
The executive director said UWCK is working closely with USD 428 on the project. The school system is providing the bus.
Now, she is challenging school clubs and sports teams, local businesses and civic organizations to pitch in and help. These groups can contribute money or items for the effort, or can volunteer to man the bus for a shift.
Bugner-Smith said she knows how generous the communities included in UWCK are and she is confident residents will come through.
Such drives have been held by other United Way offices with great success, she said. “We thought we’d try it here.”
In addition to Saturday, JC Penny will accept Stuff the Bus donations through out the UWCK campaign, which winds up in December.
For more information or to volunteer, call Bugner-Smith at 620-792-2403 or go to uwck.org.
