Abingdon, VA (July 1, 2024) - United Way of Southwest Virginia (UWSWVA) is excited to announce the return of its annual "Stuff the Bus" fundraiser, an initiative aimed at providing essential school supplies to students across Southwest Virginia.
This year's event takes place throughout July in all 21 localities within our service area, encompassing over 150 schools and benefiting over 73,000 students.
With families facing rising school supply costs – expected to exceed $890 per family and average $597 per child – this fundraiser comes at a crucial time. For some young families, that amount of money equals several months of groceries and can be daunting, if not impossible, to set aside. Children who start the school year without school supplies can feel unprepared and distracted. By donating to "Stuff the Bus," community members play an integral role in ensuring that every student in Southwest Virginia and the New River Valley has the tools they need to start the year off on the right foot.
"We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed,” said Megan Parks, Executive Director of United Way of Southwest Virginia. "Our community has always been incredibly supportive, and we are confident that together, we can make a significant impact in the lives of our students."
School supplies can be donated at designated collection points throughout the region.
Stuff the Bus is sponsored by The Rapha Foundation, First Community Bank, and Food City.
