'Stuff the Bus' to provide school supplies for children in need Aug. 7-9
The Salvation Army and Walmart are teaming up to provide new school supplies to local children in need during the "Stuff the Bus" campaign event on August 7-9, 2020.
For kids preparing for the upcoming school year, school supplies remain critical to their success. In light of COVID-19, The Salvation Army has adapted its services to ensure that children in every community can continue receiving the educational support they deserve. This year, the "Stuff the Bus" campaign in Chicago and the suburbs is part of an event taking place at more than 4,500 Walmart stores across the country. When shoppers visit Walmart this weekend, they can purchase and drop off requested items at Salvation Army collection bins at the front of each store.
"There are parents who will have to make the tough choice between buying school supplies or groceries, paying for the electric bill or insurance," said Commissioner Barry Swanson, Salvation Army Metropolitan Division Commander. "We anticipate those are choices that more families are making this year due to the novel coronavirus. Together with Walmart, we want to do what we can to help ease the burden and set children up for a successful year."
The National Retail Federation finds that coronavirus could push back-to-school spending to record levels. While laptops and computer accessories are driving that spending, the expense of traditional school supplies is expected to average $131.37.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, The Salvation Army has provided more than 65 million meals through a combination of prepared meals and food boxes, 1.45 million nights of safe shelter, and emotional and spiritual support to more than 778,000 people, in addition to the financial assistance, hygiene kits, and youth programs the organization provides in almost every ZIP code in America.
All donations made at "Stuff the Bus" campaign events will remain in the community to help The Salvation Army provide back-to-school support to local children in need. For participating locations, please visit www.SalArmyChicago.org.