Communities in Schools Cape Fear holds annual Stuff the Bus drive

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Communities in Schools Cape Fear held its annual Stuff the Bus school supply drive Thursday, collecting items to help students in New Hanover and Pender counties start the school year prepared.

The organization works to support students and remove barriers that can affect their ability to succeed in school.

Through the Stuff the Bus campaign, community members donate backpacks, notebooks, and other classroom essentials. The supplies are then distributed to students who may otherwise begin the school year without everything they need.

Communications Manager Kendall Englehart said the drive also helps ease some of the financial burden on families.

“Some kids don’t have the items necessary to show up prepared to go to school, so making sure that we have backpacks, notebooks, all of the things on the supply lists that some families just can’t bring to the table, really makes a difference in having kids show up ready to learn,” said Englehart.

All donated supplies will be sorted by volunteers before being distributed to students in need across New Hanover and Pender counties.