Latoya Williams of Kinston was shopping for school supplies in Wal-mart Saturday, and also picking up some extra pencils, paper and notebooks.
“I’m getting my son some school supplies,” she said, “but I’m going to get some supplies for the bus thing outside. I mean, some people need help.”
That bus thing was the Stuff the Bus event, a part of the Build a Back Pack program in which participants purchase supplies and donate them for needy children.
Lidia Guzman, Lenoir County Public Schools public information officer, was stationed outside one of Wal-mart’s doors and accepting donations of supplies and money for supplies.
“It’s been very productive,” she said. “Shoppers have been very gracious.”
About 10 school staff and community volunteers were encouraging customers to purchase basic supplies for students in need.
Robert Gulley, a deputy program manager, was one of a few employees from Spirit AeroSystems donating to the program for the first time.
Gulley, who also volunteers for the Salvation Army tutoring math students, said he volunteers “just to help kids out.”
This is Spirit’s fifth year of supporting Stuff the Bus, Guzman said.
Jim and Cheryl McLain, members of the Kinston Elks Lodge 740, have also volunteered for the program the last four years. They were attempting to keep cool in the shade with Guzman.
“It’s just a way of helping out,” said Cheryl McLain, who is a first grade teacher at Northeast Elementary.
The couple said the Elks Club is planning to write for a grant next year that would provide funds to purchase more school supplies.
“The Elks are very involved with the children,” said Jim McLain, who is an Elks exalted ruler and state vice president.
A couple of young scouts from Cub Scout Pack 114 in La Grange had arrived to help load up stacks of donated supplies into a school bus that was parked in front of the store.
Jeanene McBride, family and community facilitator for the LCPS Gear Up program, was encouraging customers with her daughter Naomi, 5.
“I think it’s very important,” she said, “that we get the community involved in making sure each student is prepared on the first day of school and has the necessary tools.”
There is still time to purchase supplies. Customers can shop for school supplies anytime until the end of August and drop the items off at the Build a Back Pack bin at the front of the Kinston Wal-Mart store.
The Lenoir County Education Foundation, Self Help Credit Union and The Lenoir/Greene United Way sponsored the event.
Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.
To help Build a Back Pack:
The following newly-purchased school supplies can be dropped off at the Chamber office, 301 N. Queen St, or LCPS Central office, 2017 W. Vernon Ave., next to the mall:
- Notebook paper (wide or college ruled)
- Three-ring binders
- Composition books (ex: black/white marble kind)
- Spiral one-subject notebooks
- Pencils
- Ink pens (black or blue)
- Glue sticks
- Two-pocket folders (with or without prongs)
- Rulers
- Crayons
- Book bags (girls and boys, K-12)
Or support the program through donations,
- Make checks out to the Lenoir County Education Foundation, mail to the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce, 301 N. Queen St., Kinston, NC 28501 and designate to purchase school supplies. For information, call the Chamber at 252-527-1131
- To support Self Help Credit Union’s $5 Adopt a Back Pack program, mail or bring donations to the credit union at 1910 W. Vernon Ave., Kinston, NC28504or call 252-520-6602