Patch’s “Give 5” volunteer day is just around the corner.

We’ve hooked up with the United Way of Pasco County to help our area’s teachers and students kick off the school year right. We’ll be on hand during the United Way’s Stuff the Bus campaign Friday, July 29, at the Publix at 2121 Collier Parkway from 1-3 p.m.

Stuff the Bus is a new event sponsored by the United Way that gives teachers a chance to stock up on supplies while enabling area residents to get involved. Teachers throughout the county have created wish lists already, and now it’s time for donors to help fill those requests.

Requested donations include a variety of standard school supplies. Pencils, pens, crayons, paper, dry erase board markers and more are all being sought. For a list of supplies, visit the United Way online.

With families in Pasco facing the pinch of the economy and teachers often having to dip into their own savings to cover classroom supplies, the event was started to close the gap, said Debbie Vosburgh, relationship manager with the United Way of Pasco.

“A lot of the families in Pasco aren’t working,” she said. “This will at least give the teachers what they need.”

Anyone who wishes to make a donation toward Stuff the Bus can stop by locations throughout the county July 29-31 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Those who head out to the Publix on Collier from 1-3 p.m. on July 29 can meet Patch staff members, too. Donors may also receive Patch gear, such as magnets, stickers and pens, to bring home as our thank you for helping with Stuff the Bus.

For more information about Stuff the Bus, visit the United Way online at unitedwaypasco.org.

We hope to see you on Friday!