FORT SMITH, Ark. — The start of another school year is getting closer. For a lot of parents, it can be very difficult to buy all the needed back-to-school supplies.
For 20 years, the United Way has spearheaded the Fill the Bus campaign.
"This is a partnership with our local Walmarts," United Way CEO Shae Foldvary said. "We set up at all 13 Walmart locations July 26 and 27 for individuals in the community to be able to give school supplies."
Foldvary said it's simple. While you're buying school supplies for your children or grandchildren, you can pick up a few extra items and donate them.
"We'll have volunteers at all 13 local Walmarts in our six counties that we serve, and we'll have volunteers in the corridor of Walmart handing those supply lists," he said. "If you want to give, grab a list, go down the school supply aisles, pick up whatever you would like to donate. Then outside, we'll have a full-size bus in front of the Walmart ... so that you can take those supplies directly to them."
Those items will be distributed to 29 different schools in the six counties that the United Way serves in the River Valley. Last year, Foldvary said they collected more than 50,000 items.
"This is a vital resource and initiative for our community because it is very expensive to purchase school supplies," he said. "For us, it's a way to be able to give that back and allow community members to help us do that."
Volunteers will be at the 13 Walmart locations on Friday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 27, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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