Stuff the Bus collects school supplies for CCISD students

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press

Copperas Cove ISD and Copperas Cove Walmart held the 12th annual Stuff the Bus which took place Aug. 7-9 during tax free weekend.

This year, CCISD received the largest amount of donations in the 12-year history of the event, an estimated $50,000 in school supplies, said Kurtis Quillin, CCISD’s Director of Communications.

More than 60 percent of CCISD students qualify for free or reduced lunch, so the school supplies will come in handy district wide. To qualify for free meals, according to Federal Guidelines, families must be at 130 percent of the poverty line or 185 percent of the poverty level for reduced lunch. This year, the district is continuing to provide free breakfast and lunch for all students at all grade levels.

Over the weekend, student groups and volunteers manned the doors on each side of Wal-Mart, passing out fliers about the collection drive that ran through Sunday.

Also present on Friday were representatives with Mt. Sinai HRAM Chapter 42, who presented a $500 check to the district for school supplies.

Annually, Stuff the Bus collects between $35,000 and $50,000 worth of school supplies which goes directly to CCISD students in need.

“We’ve begun distributing supplies directly to the counselors at each campus and the parent community outreach coordinators at the seven elementary campuses,” Quillin said.

“Once students return, these team members will be able to coordinate getting these supplies to students who need them.”

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of our Bulldawg community. The donations we received throughout Stuff the Bus will make a tremendous impact throughout our schools and help so many students start the year able to focus on their school work and alleviate worry over supplies for students and parents who need it.”