Bus supplies on way to local schools

Crews from Town Square Media and School District 51 unstuffed the bus at Mesa Mall Thursday morning.

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Richie Ann Ashcraft

Crews from Town Square Media and School District 51 unstuffed the bus at Mesa Mall Thursday morning.

By Richie Ann Ashcraft
Thursday, August 16, 2012

Crews from Town Square Media and School District 51 unstuffed the bus at Mesa Mall Thursday morning.

This is the fifth year the Stuff the Bus program has collected school supplies from shoppers for needy children.

Last year, more than 18,000 items were donated, said Britton Crone. local radio talent for Town Square Media.

“Some teachers are paying out of pocket for school supplies,” Crone said as he explained the importance of the program.

Backpacks, pencils, crayons and notebooks were unloaded and sorted. Four large boxes were donated by StarTek employees.

“With 45 percent of the district receiving free lunches, it’s nice to have the community step-up and support the kids,” said Christy McGee, public information officer for School District 51.

Crone said the goal was to get at least one box of supplies to each school in the district with more supplies being given to the schools with a higher number of free lunch students.