Charleroi prepares for fourth annual Stuff the Bus

By Taylor Brown

tbrown@yourmvi.com

Stuff the Bus is a big deal in Charleroi.

The event, now in its fourth year and organized by long-time school board Director Thomas Nutting, brings the community together to make sure students have supplies they need for the start of school.

The annual event began in 2018 after Nutting was inspired by a post from a former student on social media.

It has taken off and continues to grow each year.

Each year, before students return to school in August, a Charleroi school bus is parked and residents and businesses drop off their donations to fill the seats.

When the bus is filled, it is taken to a school in the district and unloaded by volunteers. Items are separated into backpacks before being handed out to students.

This year, the official Stuff the Bus event will take place from 1 to 6 p.m. Aug. 1 at Smitty’s Bar and Grill in Lower Speers.

There will be food and refreshments provided for those who stop by and a cash bar will be open for guests.

“It’s kind of like a big party,” Nutting said, “but the main thing is to raise awareness of the needs of our teachers and students and to help out our district.”

So far, Nutting has raised nearly $1,000 to jump start the project.

Funds raised are used to purchase items that are not donated.

Leftover money is then banked to be used for other items needed throughout the year.

For those who want to donate supplies, a list is available online.

All types of backpacks and school supplies will be accepted, including stationery, notebooks, crayons, markers, colored pencils, binders, loose leaf paper and pens.

Superintendent Dr. Ed Zelich reached out to teachers directly this year to request specific lists of needed supplies for students.

Individual white boards, dry-erase markers, 3×5 index cards, hand-held pencil sharpeners, plastic pencil boxes, highlighters, large glue sticks and erasers are among the items on this year’s list.

Nutting also hopes donations of tissues, cleaning wipes, toothbrushes, toothpaste and deodorant will be given to help students at home as well.

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