United Way is teaming up with organizations and local businesses for this year’s Stuff the Bus Book & Supply Drive May 26th through June 15th. Working together, we are asking Marion County residents to help stuff buses full of new and like-new books, as well as school supplies, to help children in Marion County excel in their education.
Public drop off locations include:
• Marion County Children Services
• Marion County Commissioners Office
• The Marion Star
• United Federal Credit Union locations
• Huntington Bank location
• Marion Technical College
• Marion Public Library
• United Way
“Knowing that in low-income neighborhoods the ratio of age-appropriate books is one for every 300 children, and that 26.4 percent of Marion County children live in poverty, a book drive is a simple strategy to place books in the hands of local children,” stated Pam Stone, Executive Director at United Way. “Ultimately, we want to create better readers that will become better students, and eventually lead to more graduates.”
In addition to books, school supplies are always needed. The local school supply wish list includes:
• Thumb drives
• Expo Markers
• Clorox Wipes
• Highlighters
• Mechanical pencils
• Three ring binders
Books, as well as supplies, will help give a child the tools he or she needs to succeed. Items collected through the drive will be divided and distributed through a variety of community programs and locations that are easy for children to access.
The United Way of Marion County and its community partners are working together to advance the common good by focusing on education, a fundamental building block to a good quality of life. If your organization is interested in participating, please contact the United Way of Marion County at: angie@unitedwaymarion.orgor call 740-383-3108.