Miami Valley businesses, organizations collecting school supplies for students in need

Many area families struggle to pay for school supplies, and Miami Valley organizations and businesses are stepping in to help with donation drives.

Stuff the Bus. That’s the theme of many school supply donation drives in the Dayton area this year.

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Elizabeth Terry of Beavercreek knows how expensive school supplies can be.

She’s the mother of nine and a grandmother of 28, plus she’s a teacher at Carroll High School.

“Help out with all those supplies because the schools are kind of tight, and anything anybody can do to help make the experience better is so much appreciated,” she said.

Many organizations are stepping up and they are hoping you’ll help.

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There are at least three Stuff the Bus school supply donation drives.

The United Way will have one at its kickoff On the Square event from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Courthouse Square in Dayton.

“We are stuffing the bus specifically for the after-school providers who are working with our young people when school is out,” said Tracy Sibbing, vice president of community impact at United Way.

What do students need: Construction paper, calculators, notebook paper, journals, scissors, markers and gift cards.

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At The Mall at Fairfield Commons a Stuff the Bus event is going on now through Friday. It benefits For Love of Children, which will distribute the school supplies to districts in the area.

Dayton Public Schools also has a Stuff the Bus event at Courthouse Square Monday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Terry said it’s a great way for students to get a leg up.

“It’s invaluable to have that kind of community support and help,” she said.

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