Local school supplies drive efforts for Stuff the Bus

Published 11:15 am Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Stuff the Bus, an annual school supplies donation drive event, is planned from 2-6 p.m. Aug. 5, at the Sequim Walmart. Volunteers will hand out fliers with a combined school supply list, as well as information about back to school events. Shoppers may choose to purchase items from the supply list to drop in collection bins at the store’s main entrance.

Specific school supply lists by grade are available on each school’s webpage, which can be accessed from www.sequim.k12.wa.us.

A school bus will be parked on site during the event and a school bus driver will be on hand to answer questions about bus routes and school transportation. This year’s Stuff the Bus event is organized by Ted and Philomena Lund, members of the Back to School Fair planning committee. The Lunds, representing the Sequim-Dungeness Kiwanis Club, have arranged for collection bins to be placed at additional locations, including Sequim’s Safeway and QFC stores.

Other local businesses running school supply collection drives include First Federal and Castell Insurance. Castell Insurance plans a shred event from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, at 426 E. Washington St., where they will accept school supplies and cash or check donations.

School supplies also may be dropped off at the Sequim School District administration office, 503 N. Sequim Ave. The district office is open during the summer from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (closed from noon-1 p.m.), Monday-Friday.

Collected school supplies will be made available to families in need at the Back to School Fair, slated for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, at the Boys & Girls Club at 400 W. Fir St. in Sequim.

“This is our fourth annual Back to School Fair. We are currently seeking sponsors, as well as booth vendors to offer activities and information at the fair. Volunteers for the day of the event are needed as well to help set up and facilitate the activities,” said Janet Gray, Boys & Girls Club resource development director. “Sponsorship money goes primarily toward purchasing backpacks and school supplies.”