Submitted by North Thurston Public Schools
On May 14, the North Thurston Public Schools Food and Nutrition and Transportation departments join forces again for the 9th annual “Stuff the Bus” event. This compassionate, philanthropic volunteer effort rallies the community to gather food, household supplies and books, school supplies and cash for local area non-profits who support area kids.
Under the leadership and organization of Food and Nutrition employee Karen Kirby, the “Stuff the Bus” team collected sizable donations last year for families in need throughout Thurston county, including:
- 1,600 pounds of food for the Thurston County Food Bank;
Students and staff from North Thurston Public Schools join forces to collect donations with the goal of “stuffing” the bus for needy families in our area. - $500 worth of household supplies and toiletries for the YWCA “Other Bank;”
- $250 for the North Thurston Education Foundation;
- 417 books for the South Sound Reading Foundation;
- 10 boxes of school supplies for our Little Red Schoolhouse Project
“’Stuff the Bus’ is a way for our public employees – mostly classified support staff – to give back to the community and families in need,” said Courtney Schrieve, Community Relations Director. “It’s a true volunteer gift from the heart as they see our kids on the frontlines every day and know some of the challenges they face. The great thing is “Stuff the Bus” serves not just our families but the organizations who help families across Thurston County. It’s a great example of compassion in action!”
Kirby has led this effort the past several years in partnership with with bus drivers and transportation staff and volunteer students from River Ridge High School.
This event was started nine years ago in North Thurston Public Schools by a bus driver and has since spread to other districts across the state, including Tumwater School District. Children throughout our community are impacted by poverty every day. In North Thurston Public Schools over 43 percent of students receive free and reduced lunch and there are more than 750 identified homeless students in the district. Programs like Stuff the Bus directly support families in need and throughout Thurston County.
Donations for “Stuff the Bus” can also be dropped off at Horizons Elementary School during their Color Run 5K, held the same day, May 14 at 9:00 a.m.
The project also includes media support from KGY FM 95.3 and KAYO FM 96.9 Country who will broadcast live from the event all day. Other sponsors included Capitol City Press, ThurstonTalk, Walmart, Public School Employees of Washington and Washington State Nutrition Association, South Sound Chapter.
“Stuff the Bus” will take place on May 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Lacey Walmart Lacey Walmart Supercenter located at 1401 Galaxy Dr NE. Stop by with your donations to support kids and families in Thurston County. For more information call 360-412-4418.
