Stuff the Bus to Help Pasco Teachers

The United Way of Pasco is gearing up for a donation drive that collects school supplies for teachers in the county, and it’s looking for donations and volunteers to assist with operations.

The second annual Stuff the Bus for Teachers donation collection event is planned for Aug. 3-5, during the state’s sales tax holiday.

According to the United Way, teachers spend $400 out of pocket on classroom expenses each year.

“We think that’s a lot to ask of a teacher,” president and CEO of Pasco United Way Duggan Cooley said in a press release.

The Stuff the Bus campaign will have buses set up at various locations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during its three-day run. Organizers hope to fill them with folders, pencils, boxes of  papers, crayons and more.

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Teachers and volunteers will man the buses. Parents are encouraged to pick up extra folders, pencils, or possibly a box of crayons or other items to stuff the bus with as they do their back-to-school shopping.

“This is an easy way to give back to our teachers,” Cooley said, “and allow them to focus on what is really important, our students.”

The United Way of Pasco County is partnering for the campaign with Publix, Walmart, the Pasco County School District, Generations Christian Church, 2 Men and a Truck, Kid’s Wish Network and many other local businesses and organizations.

Monetary donations to purchase school supplies and Walmart or Publix gift cards also are being accepted. Donations can be mailed to United Way of Pasco County, PO Box 609, Port Richey, FL, 34673 or left at one of the Stuff the Bus locations.

The Stuff the Bus campaign is looking for the help of volunteers willing to work two-hour shifts. Want to help? You can register online. There are thirteen locations in Pasco to choose from, and three time shifts available for each site.

If you have trouble accessing the site or prefer not to enter your email address, email Judith Tilton at jtilton@unitedwaypasco.org to be registereed manually.

Stuff the Bus Locations

• Walmart Hudson, 12610 US Highway 19, Hudson
• Publix Tower Oaks Terrace, 12101 Little Road, Hudson
• Walmart Port Richey 8701 US Highway 19, Port Richey
• Publix Riverwalk Crossing, 11400 Ridge Road, New Port Richey
• Walmart New Port Richey 8745 State Road 54, New Port Richey
• Publix Southgate Shopping Center, 5127 US Highway 19, New Port Richey
• Publix Chelsea Place, 1346 Seven Springs Blvd
• Publix Mitchell Ranch Plaza, 3100 Little Road, Trinity
• Walmart Lutz, 1575 Land O Lakes Blvd, Lutz
• Publix Shoppes at Sunlake Centre 18901 State Road 54, Lutz
• Publix Collier Commons, 2121 Collier Pkwy., Land O’ Lakes
• Publix Hollybrook Plaza, 5400 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Wesley Chapel
• Walmart Zephyrhills 7631 Gall Blvd, Zephyrhills

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