GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – The Salvation Army of Greater Green Bay is teaming up with local Walmart locations to provide school supplies to kids in need through the annual “Stuff the Bus” campaign.
“It’s a chance for customers to help us collect school supplies that will be distributed to area kids in need,” says Salvation Army of Greater Green Bay Community Relations Coordinator Nicole Hanley.
While this year will be a bit different for students, that doesn’t mean they don’t still need their regular school supplies. And with the pandemic – many continue to struggle affording even the basic necessities.
“Whether kids are going to school virtually or in-person, they still need the supplies to succeed. It’s like having the right tools to do your job,” Hanley tells WTAQ News, “They might end up going in person later in the season when it might be a little bit harder to secure those supplies. So we can still get those supplies into the hands of people right now, then they’ll have them at least for this semester.”
The campaign is seeking donations of any school supplies shoppers can get their hands on – but particularly Number 2 pencils, pens, wide-ruled loose leaf paper, glue (bottled or stick).
Another big note added to the supply list this year: Small hand sanitizers, which are in high demand.
“That’s going to be required for the kids that are going to be going to school in person, and if possible, we would like to provide families with that,” Hanley says.
Stuff the Bus will run at both Green Bay Walmarts and the location in De Pere through Sunday. Shoppers can drop off requested items in Salvation Army collection bins located at the front of each store.
For those unable to make it to Walmart that day, there is a searchable online “Registry for Good,” listing all of the items. They will be sent directly to the Salvation Army of Greater Green Bay.