United Way Invites Community to Support School Supply Drive

United Way of Lake County is holding its annual Stuff the Bus school supply drive now through August 15, 2024. Community members and local businesses are invited to join in by providing students who do not have sufficient resources with the supplies they need to start school ready to succeed.

This year, there are two ways to give: purchase items on the wish list and drop them off at one of the collection sites or make a monetary donation online.

Donors may purchase new supplies from a wish list including, 17” plain, single or dual-color backpacks, wide-ruled spiral notebooks, 2” binders, large pink erasers, folders with pockets, boxes of 24 Crayola crayons, boxes of 10 Crayola markers, large glue sticks, pencil pouches/cases, yellow highlighters (2 pack), dry erase markers, sharpened #2 pencils (24 pack), pencil sharpeners with shaving catcher, stylus pens, child safe scissors, sticky notes, index cards, earbuds/headphones, facial tissues.

Donations may be dropped off by August 15 at United Way of Lake County, 330 S. Greenleaf Street, Gurnee, Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., or one of the many collection sites across the county.

Access to free school supplies for students whose families have limited access to economic resources is critical to building an equitable learning environment and future for all our local children. Equipping students with the supplies they need helps them prepare for their academic studies, builds self-esteem and sets them up for success.

For more information or to sponsor a student with a backpack full of supplies with a $32 online donation, visit www.LIVEUNITEDlakecounty.org/BUS.