POTTSVILLE -- The United Way is trying to make sure kids in Schuylkill County are ready for the first day of school.
Volunteers spent the day organizing school supplies and then distributing over 1,000 bags to organizations and schools throughout Schuylkill County.
"We all know we need the tools to accomplish our jobs and for students, it's the backpack to bring in their first day," said Michelle Halabura, United Way.
Halabura says this is the 14th year the Schuylkill County United Way spent July fundraising, purchasing, and sorting supplies -- making sure students in need have a backpack filled with supplies on their first day of school.
Inside the backpack are glue sticks, crayons, pencils, and rulers -- everything to help a student to succeed on their first day of school.
The backpacks are for students of all ages from kindergarten all the way up to high school. The "stuff the bus" event featured different types of backpacks.
"We make sure we offer the clear back packs for the students whose school district requires those and regular backpacks for the schools that don't."
Organizations who came to pick up the backpacks for kids say a lot of families can't afford new school supplies every year and the "stuff the bus" campaign gives parents one less thing to be worried about as they prepare for school.
"Parents have a lot on their plate, especially the ones we work with, so this just takes that one thing off their mind that their kids will be prepared. They don't have to go to the store and try to afford to buy these things," said Lisa Luksic-Modlovsky.
