Stuff the Bus will stop in Greencastle on Friday

It's back-to-school time and many parents and students are rushing the aisles of local stores in search of backpacks, folders and notebooks.

But school supplies don't come cheap and there are many students across Franklin County who are in need. That's where the United Way of Franklin County steps in with the annual Stuff the Bus campaign.

Donations may be made on Friday, Aug. 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the square in Mercersburg; and from 4 to 7 p.m. at Mikie's on U.S. 11 in Greencastle.

Donations may also be taken to the United Way of Franklin County, 182 S. Second St., Chambersburg; the Greater Waynesboro Area Chamber of Commerce office, 118 Walnut St.; or the Greencastle-Antrim Chamber office at 217 E. Baltimore St.

"The stressors of school are difficult enough without students showing up, through no fault of their own, without the resources they need to participate in coursework execution," explained Cheri Kearney, United Way community impact director. "With the average cost of back-to-school requirements to enter each grade reaching $22 per child, many families are at a disadvantage because items on the list are unattainable."

The goal of the event is to provide the schools with as many resources as possible to help students and teachers focus on learning, Kearney said.

Donations of school supplies are needed, including: backpacks, calculators, colored pencils, composition notebooks, construction paper, copy paper, crayons, folders, Febreze, glue and glue sticks, hand sanitizer, jump ropes, kick balls, tissues, markers, notebook paper, pencil boxes, paper towels, pens, permanent markers, plain white paper, pocket folders, rulers, safety scissors, spiral notebooks and tape.

All supplies remain in the community they were collected in.