As thousands of Tucson students head back to school this week, a local nonprofit will be at a pair of Walmart locations Saturday collecting school supplies and clothing for TUSD students in need.
The Educational Enrichment Foundation, a nonprofit supporting Tucson Unified schools, is hosting its annual “Stuff the Bus” event from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, at Walmart on 3435 E. Broadway and at Walmart on 7150 E. Speedway.
Pamela Francis, the nonprofit’s executive director, said they’re asking for school supplies and clothing to help struggling parents with back-to-school expenses, and hope to fill a school bus at each location.
“It becomes a real challenge when parents are handed a list of school supplies. Because sometimes they’re just living paycheck to paycheck, and they can’t afford to blow the whole paycheck on school supplies for the kids,” she said. “I would say, truly, to get a kid in new shoes and proper fitting clothes, and school supplies, it’s got to be at least $200 per kid, if you’re a thrifty shopper.”
Francis noted that the Education Enrichment Foundation has already partnered with several local businesses that have been hosting back to school donation drives. And the organization will be handing out shopping lists to educate donors about what students need most.
“The need is so great and there’s never enough supplies. If we did this weekly, we might have enough,” she said.
