Pigmented crayons, freshly-sharpened pencils, stacks of paper—all signs that schools are headed back in session soon. For some families, the thought of school supply shopping is daunting, especially as inflation continues to bubble. On July 29, the Robertson County Schools Transportation Department in conjunction with the Family Resource Center is hosting a “Stuff the Bus” event at Springfield’s Wal-Mart parking lot. 

Two large yellow buses will be parked at either end of the store, and volunteers will hand out fliers for shoppers with specific item requests. The concept is simple: as you shop, grab some school supply items to donate to Robertson County families in need. Wal-Mart’s “Back to School” stock is set up for easy snagging—at the front, near the registers. Items such as crayons, paper, and pencils are appreciated, as well as teacher supply items like staplers and pens.

As shoppers exit the store, they will hand their purchased bag of supplies to those stuffing the bus. The supplies will then be organized in tubs on each bench seat inside. Meltable items, such as crayons, will be quickly taken to an air-conditioned location for safety. Joshua Hinerman, Director of Transportation for RCS, said, “It’s a great opportunity for the community to come and provide support for one another. It’s a good way to give back and help.” 

Joshua, who drives one of the bus routes himself, is always encouraged by the community’s response. “I know some families that barely have anything, yet they will donate bags of supplies to stuff the bus,” he said. This extreme generosity is part of what makes the community so special, and why this event has seen great turn out in year’s past.

This year marks the third year Robertson County Schools is hosting the event. The first year had drop off locations at both White House’s Wal-Mart and Springfield’s Wal-Mart. These last two years it has been at Springfield’s location only. “It’s been very successful,” said Teresa Leavitt, RCS’s Student Services Supervisor. “With Covid, all of our large company donations went away, so we turned to the community to fill this need. Last year we had about 20,000 items donated.” 

The donations make a tremendous impact, filling Robertson County’s Family Resource Center with school supplies essential to education. Throughout the year, teachers and parents can contact the Center when a need arises. “They are able to talk with their school’s social worker who then visits the Resource Center to fill the order,” added Teresa.

“I have no doubt the community will show up again this year,” said Joshua. Teresa echoed those sentiments, adding, “Any large company that wants to give a monetary donation, please make checks payable to Lisa Cobb Foundation, and mail to the Central Office at 800 MS Couts Blvd. Springfield, TN 37172.”

For locals who want to donate supplies directly, head to the Springfield Wal-Mart Saturday, July 29 from 9 am to 1 pm. Maybe bring Joshua Hinerman a cupcake too. It’s his birthday.

For more information or to contact the Robertson County Schools’ Family Resource Center, please call 615-382-3609.