ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – It’s that time of the year for parents to prepare their children for another school year, and several communities are coming together to help make sure every child has the supplies they need to be successful in the classroom.
Roanoke City Public Schools, Roanoke County Public Schools, Salem City Schools, and Craig County Public Schools are partnering with Walmart to collect school supplies for students in the Roanoke Valley.
Chuck Lionbeger, Director of Community Relations for Roanoke County Public Schools, said, “Each year, we have thousands of students across the Roanoke Valley who, for whatever reason, can’t afford school supplies, their families can’t afford school supplies. And so if the families are unable to provide them, we are going to. We want our students to start the school year off with the tools they need to be successful.”
Lionberger explained that ‘Load the Bus’ has been happening for more than 20 years. Community members are asked to purchase a few extra school supply items to help students in need. He said some of the most needed items are crayons, pens, pencils, colored pencils, and a lot of glue sticks. School districts also need printer paper and backpacks for middle and high school students.
Lionberger said it doesn’t take much to make a big impact.
“All that adds up and goes to help kids in need across the Roanoke Valley and every single item stays in the Roanoke Valley to help kids in need,” said Lionberger.
Lionberger shared Roanoke City Public Schools will host an extravaganza event to distribute donated items to students. Families of Roanoke County Public Schools students should reach out to their child’s school counselor if they are in need of school supplies.
School buses will be parked in front of Walmart stores in Bonsack, Clearbrook, Salem, and Valley View neighborhoods on August 4 at 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., August 5 at 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and August 7 at 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
