Stuff the Bus Returns July 29: Help Local Students Start the School Year Strong

As summer begins to wind down, many families across Winston-Salem are already thinking about the upcoming school year. For parents facing financial hardship, the cost of school supplies can create an additional burden at a time when household budgets are already stretched thin. That is why The Salvation Army of Greater Winston-Salem is inviting the community to come together for Stuff the Bus, a school supply drive designed to ensure local children have the tools they need for academic success.

On Tuesday, July 29, Salvation Army volunteers will be stationed at Walmart, located at 3475 Parkway Village Court in Winston-Salem, collecting donations of new school supplies throughout the day. Community members are encouraged to purchase extra items while shopping and place them directly into the Salvation Army school bus collection area.

The goal of Stuff the Bus is simple: fill a school bus with essential classroom supplies that will be distributed to children and families in need throughout our community. Every notebook, backpack, pack of pencils, and box of crayons helps equip a student to begin the school year with confidence and dignity.

Why School Supplies Matter

For many children, the first day of school is filled with excitement and anticipation. However, for families facing economic challenges, it can also bring anxiety about how they will afford the supplies required for success in the classroom.

When students have the materials they need, they can focus on learning rather than worrying about what they lack. Basic supplies such as notebooks, folders, pencils, markers, calculators, and backpacks help create equal opportunities for students and support their ability to participate fully in their education.

By supporting Stuff the Bus, donors are investing directly in the future of local children while helping parents preserve limited resources for other essential household expenses.

Most Needed Donations

The Salvation Army is seeking donations of new school supplies, including:

• Backpacks
• Notebooks
• Composition books
• Loose-leaf paper
• Pens and pencils
• Crayons and colored pencils
• Markers
• Highlighters
• Glue sticks
• Scissors
• Two-pocket folders
• Pencil boxes and pouches
• Calculators
• Classroom tissues and hand sanitizer

Financial contributions are also welcome and allow The Salvation Army to purchase additional supplies based on specific community needs.

Be Part of the Solution

Stuff the Bus is more than a school supply drive—it is a community effort to ensure every child has an opportunity to succeed. Last year, generous donors and volunteers helped hundreds of local students prepare for the school year. With growing needs throughout Forsyth County, community support is more important than ever.

Whether you donate a single pack of pencils or an entire backpack filled with supplies, your gift will make a real difference in the life of a child.

Join The Salvation Army on July 29 at Walmart, 3475 Parkway Village Court, and help us Stuff the Bus for local students. Together, we can send children back to school prepared, confident, and ready to learn.

How You Can Help

✅ Donate new school supplies on July 29 at Walmart
✅ Make a financial gift to support school supply purchases
✅ Volunteer to assist with collections and sorting
✅ Share the event with friends, family, and coworkers

For more information about Stuff the Bus or to make a financial donation, contact The Salvation Army of Greater Winston-Salem at [phone number] or visit [website].

When a community comes together, every child has a better chance to succeed. Help us Stuff the Bus and make a difference for local students this school year.