Annual ‘Stuff The Bus’ School Supply Drive Gives You Chance To Donate To School Children In Need (Audio)

School in Lafayette Parish begins a week from Wednesday, and you may or may not have all those school supplies ready. But there are many of those that need a little help in getting those school supplies in order to be ready for that first day.

That's where United Way of Acadiana is stepping in with its Annual "Stuff the Bus" school supply drive. United Way of Acadiana’s goal is to remove the obstacles for families and children to ensure that students begin the school year with the tools they need to succeed. The "Stuff the Bus" school supply drive ensures that students begin the school year equipped with the supplies they need to be ready to learn. "This is just a great opportunity for us to raise our hand for education in our community," says Keler Williams, director of
volunteer mobilization.

Williams says United Way of Acadiana has been hosting this event for about 5 years. School buses will deliver school supply donations collected from Lafayette groups, companies, organizations and individuals to United Way of Acadiana to be sorted and packaged for delivery to students in schools in Acadia, Lafayette, St. Martin and Vermilion parishes. The packages will be sorted and packaged on August 13 from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Williams says there are several drop off locations for you to make your donations. In Lafayette Parish, you can give at the United Way of Acadiana office on 215 E. Pinhook Road (337-706-1230), Lafayette Surgical Specialty Hospital, Lafayette Parish School Board Central Office and at IberiaBank on West Congress Street. In St. Martin Parish, volunteers will be at the Winn Dixie in Breaux Bridge collecting school supplies from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday. In Vermilion Parish, volunteers will be in Abbeville at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Williams also says if you want to volunteer your time, helping them sort and pack the supplies, they would love for you to contact their main office on 215 Pinhook Road. (List of School Supplies To Donate)

To listen to Keler Williams' interview on "Your Afternoon Drive Home," CLICK BELOW: