POTTSVILLE, Pa. — Katie Malone from Orwigsburg is traveling to businesses across Schuylkill County to drop off a box Malone hopes will be filled with donated school supplies by next month.
"The boxes that I deliver to Schuylkill County, to different businesses, we have over 20 businesses for drop-off locations for Stuff the Bus," Malone said.
It's an annual school supply drive that ensures every student in Schuylkill County will walk into the first day of school with a full backpack of supplies.
"We are concerned every year if we are going to get enough donations."
Last year, Newswatch 16 was there as volunteers with the Schuylkill United Way packed more than 2,100 backpacks.
Since then, Malone has seen students throughout the county benefit from the drive in the classroom while working as a substitute teacher.
"These kiddos really truly don't have a lot at home that they can start the school year off with," Malone added.
It doesn't just help the student sitting at a desk, but their parents too.
"Now, instead of budgeting money for food, utilities, rent, and child care, this at least takes some of the burden off of them because they don't have to worry about it," explained Becky Woods, Schuylkill United Way marketing director.
While the backpacks will be distributed in time for the first day of school, they're handed out throughout the entire school year to other groups.
"We also work with Child Development and Schuylkill Hope Center with victims of domestic violence, all of our 15 partner agencies, a lot of local organizations that help kids throughout the year," Woods said.
Their goal isn't just to give a backpack to students when they need it most.
"The feeling that they fit in with all the other kids in the school district, and that's a big thing. It boosts their confidence; it boosts their willingness to learn," Malone explained.
The Schuylkill United Way will be collecting school supplies from now to the end of July.
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