Walmart, Salvation Army Partner To 'Stuff The Bus' In EP

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — The Salvation Army and Walmart are teaming up to provide new school supplies to local children in need during the "Stuff the Bus" campaign event taking place Friday through Sunday, Aug. 7 through Aug. 9, at participating Walmart stores throughout the Chicago region and Northwest Indiana.

Shoppers visiting Walmart in Evergreen Park this weekend can purchase and drop off requested items at Salvation Army collection bins at the front of each store. All donations made at "Stuff the Bus" campaign events will remain within the Evergreen Park community.

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, the Salvation Army has adapted its services to ensure that children in every community can continue receiving the educational support they deserve. Shoppers visiting Walmart this weekend can purchase and drop off requested items at Salvation Army collection bins at the front of each store.

"There are parents who will have to make the tough choice between buying school supplies or groceries, paying for the electric bill or insurance," Commissioner Barry Swanson, Salvation Army Metropolitan Division Commander, said in the news release. "We anticipate those are choices that more families are making this year due to the novel coronavirus. Together with Walmart, we want to do what we can to help ease the burden and set children up for a successful year."

The National Retail Federation projects that coronavirus could push back-to-school spending to record levels, adding that while this includes spending money on laptops and computer accessories, the expense of traditional school supplies is expected to average $131.37.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, The Salvation Army has provided more than 65 million meals, 1.45 million nights of shelter, and emotional and spiritual support to more than 778,000 people, financial assistance, hygiene kits, and youth programs the organization provides in almost every ZIP code in America, the news release said.

Stuff the Bus” campaign events will be taking place at the following local Walmart stores this weekend (Aug. 7 through Aug. 9), including:

• 4700 135th St, Crestwood
• 2500 W. 95th Street, Evergreen Park
• 7050 S. Cicero Avenue, Bedford Park
• 9265 159th Street, Orland Hills

"Stuff the Bus" campaign events will remain within the Evergreen Park community to help The Salvation Army provide back-to-school support to local children in need.

~ Patch Editor Rebecca Hughes contributed to this report.