Greater Ottawa County United Way will host its fifth annual Stuff the Bus school supply collection drive from Monday, July 24 – Monday, August 7. Community members are invited to donate school supplies and backpacks for local kids at Fifth Third Bank locations in Ottawa County and at Loutit District Library in Grand Haven. Donations can also be made by texting BUS to 30306.
United Way's Vice President of Volunteer Engagement Shannon LaHaie said, “Last year, we were able to provide nearly 1,000 backpacks to kids in need. This year, we are confident in our community’s generosity to help us supply even more backpacks to help local kids start the school year off right.”
Supplies needed include: backpacks, water bottles, #2 pencils, pens (red, blue, and black), washable markers, dry erase markers, highlighters, colored pencils, folders, 3-ring binders (especially 1 1/2 inch white binders with clear view front), composition books, glue sticks, pencil sharpeners, pencil boxes, erasers, scissors, Post-It Notes, tab dividers, Kleenex and lanyards.
At the end of August, Stuff the Bus backpacks full of school supplies will be distributed to local kids in need. Students can pick up a backpack in Grand Haven on Wednesday, August 30 from 4:30pm-5:30pm at The Salvation Army located at 310 N. Despelder St. For the Grand Haven pick-up, students need to be pre-registered to receive a backpack. Pre-registration takes place at The Grand Haven Salvation Army through August 11 during office hours. Please bring ID (birth certificate or social security card).
Students can also pick up a backpack in at The Holland Salvation Army located at 104 Clover St. on Thursday, August 17 from 5:00pm-7:00pm. Pre-register by August 5 with The Salvation Army by calling (616) 392-446. Please bring a photo ID, social security card, social security numbers for all household members, and proof of income.
Stuff the Bus is a collaboration of Greater Ottawa County United Way, The Salvation Army and Grand Haven Area Public Schools. Two Men and a Truck supplies the collection boxes and helps drop off and pick up boxes during the drive.
Companies hosting in-house Stuff the Bus drives include: AD Bos Vending Services, Inc., City of Grand Haven, Davenport University, Fifth Third Bank, Flex, Grand Haven Custom Molding, Heartwood Lodge, JSJ Corporation, Loutit District Library, Macatawa Bank, Mercantile Bank, North Ottawa Community Health System, PADNOS, Seppo Chiropractic, Shape Corp., Tennant, Tyson Foods, Inc., USFC, WHTC and Woodward.
To learn more, or to get involved, contact Shannon LaHaie at (616) 396-7811 x206 or slahaie@ottawaunitedway.org.