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Stuff the Bus, Beaufort County Schools’ annual initiative to collect and distribute school supplies for students, will take place from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of the Washington Walmart.

Stuff the Bus is returning after a one-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The list of items needed this year includes backpacks; crayons, pencils and pencil boxes; large erasers; blue- and black-ink pens; spiral notebooks, both college and wide-ruled; notebook paper; three-ring binders; glue sticks; headphones and/or earbuds; colored pencils; washable markers; highlighters; scissors; pocket folders and refillable water bottles.

The 2019 Stuff the Bus event, which is the most recent one for BCS, was the most successful one to date. Businesses and churches contributed to that success by collecting bins of supplies in advance and delivering them on the day of the event.

Those who are unable to bring their donations to Stuff the Bus can bring their items to the Beaufort County Schools central office, located at 321 Smaw Road in Washington, on a more convenient date.

Supplies dropped off at the Stuff the Bus event will be distributed to schools next week. Schools will have supply closets for students to access if they need something. The donations will also help families who’ve reached out to administrators for help with specific needs.

BCS Director of Family and Community Engagement Ashley Padgett noted that Vidant Beaufort is also collecting supplies for BCS students throughout it facilities.