United Way of North Central Arkansas will launch its annual effort to collect school supplies and other basic items to ensure that every child in Independence County is properly equipped to succeed in school this month.
United Way and Citizens Bank launched “Stuff the Bus” in 2013 to collect school supplies. Last year, the Wood Family of Dealerships joined the campaign with “Best Foot Forward,” which seeks the donation of new athletic shoes for children who need them.
During the remainder of July and through Aug. 1, school supplies and athletic shoes will be collected at The Wood Family Dealerships; at Citizens Bank locations in Batesville, Cave City and Pleasant Plains; and at Anytime Fitness in Batesville. Cash donations will be accepted at the collection points, online at igfn.us/f/i6l/n, or you can text “STUFF 10 Your Name” to 41444 to make a $10 contribution to this cause.
From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1, school buses will be stationed at Walmart, 3150 Harrison St., and also at the Wood Family Dealerships, 1674 Batesville Blvd., to collect school supplies and shoes. That date also coincides with the annual Arkansas sales tax holiday, which means the money used for contributions will go even further.
Allison Phelps, Executive Director of the United Way of North Central Arkansas, said “The school supplies and shoes will be distributed to children based on need at schools in four school districts – Batesville, Cedar Ridge, Midland and Southside – with a goal of providing the supplies to the students before school starts.”
Additionally, Phelps said, “We are exciting to see this initiative grow each year. The John Herman Hickman Foundation of Peco Foods and The Batesville Rotary Club have each pledged $1000 for “Best Foot Forward”, The Wood Family Dealerships will donate one pair of shoes for each car or truck they sell during the month of July and Anytime Fitness of Batesville will donate one pair of shoes for each new member that joins during the month of July.”
“We hope everyone will join us in providing students with the necessary supplies they need to start the school year ready to learn,” Phelps said. “As Back-to-School season gets under way, we hope everyone will pick up a few extra items and help us ‘Stuff the Bus’ and put our ‘Best Foot Forward’!” For more information, or to contribute to Stuff the Bus, contact United Way at 870-793-5991 or email at info@liveunitednca.org.
About United Way of North Central Arkansas:
United Way of North Central Arkansas has been mobilizing the community to advance the common good since 1981. United Way of North Central Arkansas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase the organized capacity of people to care for one another. United Way of North Central Arkansas serves North Cleburne, Independence, Izard, Sharp and Stone Counties.
