Salvation Army 'Stuff the Bus' with school supplies for kids

The Salvation Army of Havre hosted its “Stuff the Bus” event aimed at collecting school supplies to give to students in need at Walmart 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Trina Crawford of the Salvation Army, who is heading this year’s Stuff the Bus, said that they received more than $500 worth of donations Tuesday. This morning, she and the Salvation Army, Boy Scouts and many volunteers were filling backpacks with what the teachers in Havre are asking the students to buy. The backpacks are separated by teacher and grade level to ensure the students who have been signed up to receive them have everything they need for the upcoming school year.

The Salvation Army will be distributing the backpacks until 4:30 p.m. today. Parents of students are urged to make appointments, and to bring identification for the child and verification of income.

Crawford said that she can’t be positive about the amount of supplies that will be left over, but anyone who was unable to receive a backpack today may come the Salvation Army Monday or Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to noon to see what they have left.

Walmart donated about $325 worth of school supplies and, through Gary & Leo’s Fresh Foods, people donated $220 to the cause.

“We really appreciate United Way for letting us do the Stuff the Bus event, and we really appreciate all the businesses and people who donated to the cause,” Crawford said.