A community effort in Greenville, North Carolina, resulted in the collection of over 13,000 school supplies during the annual Stuff the Bus event held at Walmart on August 5, 2023. Organized by Parents for Public Schools of Pitt County, the initiative aimed to support local students by gathering essential educational materials.
The drive was supported by multiple organizations, including The Daily Reflector, Pitt County Schools, and Walmart. Local businesses, particularly Allen Tate Companies and ENC Pirate Realty, acted as sponsors, further emphasizing community involvement.
Joshua Breazeale, the director of Parents for Public Schools, highlighted the organization’s commitment to promoting public education. “We support public schools, educators, families, students, and teachers, and Stuff the Bus is one small way to do that,” he stated during the event. The drive allowed shoppers to contribute directly by purchasing items in-store or donating supplies they had collected beforehand.
As shoppers entered the store, staff from The Daily Reflector encouraged donations and distributed lists of needed items. Walmart also played a role by announcing the initiative over its public address system. This collaborative effort led to the collection of various supplies, including pencils, pens, notebooks, and binders, which were later delivered to the offices of the school system’s social workers.
The supplies will be distributed to students in need, with social workers coordinating with teachers to ensure equitable access. Beth Ullfers, the PCS director of outreach and public relations, explained, “The social workers coordinate with teachers to ensure any student who needs supplies can access them.”
Enthusiasm among shoppers was palpable, particularly as the event coincided with the return to classes just two days later. Many attendees, including those shopping for their own children, chose to contribute additional items to support the cause.
Michael Sosa, a Greenville resident, reflected on his own experiences with similar initiatives. “During my time in middle school and high school, times were hard trying to get school supplies,” said Sosa, who benefited from such programs while growing up in Charlotte. “This is my way of giving back.”
Breazeale emphasized that the drive not only assists students but also alleviates the financial burden on teachers who often pay for school supplies out of their own pockets. “Not everybody can afford school supplies, so this takes the weight off of teachers having to buy supplies for their own room and their own students,” he noted.
In conjunction with Stuff the Bus, Pitt County Schools encouraged community members to participate in the We Love Our Schools campaign during the opening week of school. This initiative invites school staff and supporters to display signs and wear T-shirts featuring heart symbols to express support for public education.
Superintendent Steve Lassiter urged the community to show their pride for local schools. “We want you to show your love for Pitt County Schools by holding one of these signs, making a sign at home, or wearing one of the fabulous shirts that we have showcasing our love for Pitt County Schools,” he said.
Ullfers suggested utilizing social media to amplify the message, encouraging participants to make posts with the hashtags #pcs, #westillbelieve, and #weloveourschools. The community’s collective efforts underscore the importance of supporting education and ensuring that all students have access to the necessary supplies for a successful academic year.
