Stuff the Bus campaign successful

Bright Futures Siloam Springs and United Way gave backpacks and school supplies to 370 Siloam Springs students through the Stuff the Bus Campaign.

A total of 3,843 items and $2,600 in donations were collected during the campaign, held at Siloam Springs Walmart last month, according to Sarah Jones, director of the Panther Health and Wellness Clinic, and Bright Futures. The school used the donated money to purchase an additional 1,148 items.

"It was really inspiring to see our community come together for kids," Jones said.

The backpacks and supplies were organized in the clinic, located at the Intermediate School, so when the children came in they could choose their own backpacks, then shop through a store area where the supplies were laid out and pick out the items on their back-to-school list. Each child was escorted by a volunteer who helped them find what they were looking for.

While many school supply giveaways hand students a backpack already full of supplies, Jones said she wanted children to be able to choose their own items and have a fun back-to-school shopping experience. Families did not have to show proof of income or go through a screening process to participate.

Volunteers gave about 22o hours of time throughout the Stuff the Bus event and the following school supply giveaway, Jones said. About half of the volunteers were high-school-aged kids, she said.

The supply giveaway is ongoing, and requests from teachers who have students in need of school supplies are still coming in every day, Jones said.

Bright Futures Siloam Springs is a part of the larger Bright Futures USA. It enables the community to come together with the school district in support of students. More information is available on the Bright Futures Siloam Springs Facebook page. Individual student needs are also regularly posted on the page for those who would like to contribute.