Stuff the Bus is growing

Jun. 17—SANDUSKY — Stuff the Bus Erie County is now Stuff the Bus Erie and Huron Counties!

Each year the program partners with local businesses, organizations, and community members to provide new backpacks and school supplies for local student in grades K-8. In addition to all school districts in Erie County, the following school districts in Huron County have joined the program: Monroeville, New London, South Central and Willard. Parents and guardians can register their children online by July 1 at www.vlfcu.org/stuffthebus.

The committee is asking for the community's assistance to help provide hundreds of backpacks to local students entering grades K-8. They are collecting new school supplies including: backpacks, pencils, pens, colored pencils, markers, highlighters, 3-ring binders, glue bottles and sticks, scissors, pink erasers, folders, pencil boxes and pouches, wide ruled and college ruled paper, and composition books.

The campaign will conclude on Aug. 5 to give the committee and their volunteers ample time to inventory donations, stuff the backpacks and deliver to the schools. Distribution of the backpacks will be coordinated by each local school district. Anyone wishing to donate new backpacks and school supplies can drop them off at the following public locations:

—AAA Ohio Auto Club, Sandusky

—Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Professional Realty, Sandusky

—Fraternal Order of Eagles, Sandusky

—Grace Episcopal Church, Sandusky

—Ideal Chiropractic, Huron

—Ken Ganley Buick GMC, Sandusky

—Ken Ganley Buick GMC, Norwalk

—Krueger Insurance Agency, Berlin Heights

—Ohio Business College, Sandusky

—Perkins Township Police Department, Sandusky

—Stefano Dental, Sandusky

—Sandusky Mall Security Desk, Center Court

—VacationLand Federal Credit Union branches in Sandusky, Huron, Vermilion and Norwalk

Tax deductible monetary donations are also being accepted for backpacks and school supplies. Make checks payable to United Way of Erie County (write "school supplies" on memo line). Mail checks to: VacationLand Federal Credit Union 2911 Hayes Ave., Sandusky, Ohio 44870, Attn: Marketing.

Questions regarding employer participation can be directed to hgilchrist@vlfcu.org or marketingdirector@sandusky-mall.com.

About Stuff the Bus Erie County

Stuff the Bus Erie & Huron Counties is a committee comprised of the Sandusky Mall, United Way Erie County and VacationLand Federal Credit Union. Their goal is to assist families in need by providing new backpacks and school supplies to students entering grades K-8. The program's success is based upon the generosity of local businesses, organizations and community members.