A behind-the-scenes need that many people often remain unaware of will be the target of a charitable cause in July.
Jonathan English State Farm will sponsor its second annual Stuff the Bus event on Saturday, July 16 at the Walmart Super Center in Evans, starting at 9 a.m. The event will collect book bags and supplies for Columbia County middle school and high school students.
English said people often think of the needs of elementary students but don’t realize that older students often face needs for school supplies as well. Currently, 31 percent of Columbia County school students qualify for free and reduced lunches, and those same students often have other financial needs as well.
English became concerned when a staff member at the school told him that there are students who were living in a house the previous year, who the next year were homeless.
“It may be because of the death of a loved one or the loss of a job,” English said. “A lot is just short-term for a year or two but that year or two is tough. But the average person doesn’t even know this happened. This way, the kid can get a book bag with supplies without having to ask.”
With gas and food prices spiking, English acknowledged that even more students could be in need in the coming school year.
English and his staff will be at the Evans Walmart on the morning of July 16 with a school bus, but people who can’t make it to the event can drop off book bags and supplies at the State Farm office, 4443 Washington Road, Evans.
Donations are needed for the following items:
- Book bags suitable for middle school and high school students
- College-ruled composition books
- 2-inch and 3-inch hard-backed binders
- Scientific calculators – Ti 30XS Multiview and Ti 30XIIS
- Water bottles
- Pencil cases
