Community Corner
'Stuff the Bus' With School Supplies With Kiwanis Club, Brandon Y
The Kiwanis Club of Greater Brandon is working with the Brandon Family YMCA to collect school supplies for children whose families live in economic need. The fourth annual "Stuff the Bus" collection drive kicks off Aug. 4 at the Y in Seffner.
It’s time to “Stuff the Bus” with the Kiwanis Club of Greater Brandon, which this year is partnering with the Brandon Family YMCA to kick off a collection drive for school supplies for children whose families live in economic need.
The launch of the Kiwanis club’s fourth annual school-supply drive is scheduled for Aug. 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Brandon Family YMCA at 3097 South Kingsway Road in Seffner. Proceeds from the event will support both the Kiwanis Stuff the Bus effort and the YMCA’s annual back-to-school giveaway at Camp Cristina in Riverview, according to Kiwanian Dustie Amatangelo.
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The event will feature Star Wars characters, food, games and information booths. The Shred-It truck also will be on hand to shred sensitive documents that can be used for identity theft.
Admission is $5 worth of school supplies or $5.
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Small businesses and others interested in having a booth at the event should contact Diana Niles, development coordinator at the Brandon Family YMCA, at 813-685-5402. The cost is $25.
Residents also are invited to join the Kiwanis Club Friday, Aug. 17 from 7 to 9 a.m. at Kmart, 1602 West Brandon Blvd., to help stuff a school bus with school supplies.
Volunteers are needed at Kmart to collect donated school supplies, said Amatangelo. Or, residents can volunteer at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 818 North Parsons Ave., Brandon, where school supplies will be sorted and distributed to local schools between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
"Anyone who would like is invited to come out and help us," said Amatangelo.
Prior to Aug. 17, school supplies can be dropped off at the following locations:
- Apostle's Lutheran Church, 200 Kingsway Rd., Brandon
- Courtesy Toyota, 9210 E Adamo Dr., Tampa
- Budget Self Storage, 2504 E. State Road 60, Valrico
- Ben's Family Restaurant, 704 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon
- Cornerstone Baptist Church, 818 N. Parsons Ave., Brandon
- Maximeyes/Dr. Gress, 2547 E. State Road 60, Valrico
- Nativity Catholic Church, 705 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon
- Chili's, 1281 E. Brandon Blvd., Valrico
- Aquali Salon and Spa, 3652 Erindale Dr., Valrico
- Chick-fil-A, 11325 Causeway Blvd., Brandon
- Pinch A Penny, 3210 Lithia-Pinecrest Rd., Valrico
- Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce, 330 Pauls Dr., Suite 100, Brandon
- Music Showcase, 402 Oakfield Dr., Brandon
- RME, 4910 Savarese Circle, Tampa
- Sykes, 900 W. Beacon Rd., Lakeland
- Brandon Family YMCA, 3097 S. Kingsway Rd., Seffner
- Tampa Tribune, 202 S. Parker St., Tampa
School supplies needed include:
- Copy paper
- Composition books
- Notebook paper (wide and college ruled)
- Back packs, large and small
- No. 2 pencils
- Spiral notebooks (single subject)
- Pocket folders (with and without clasps)
- Crayons (16-pack)
- Markers (8-pack)
- Colored pencils
- Pens
- Rulers
- Scissors (blunt and regular)
- Glue (regular and stick)
- Hand sanitizer
- Protractors
Amatangelo said, over the past four years, the Stuff the Bus program has raised more than $25,000 and served more than 500 children. She added that all donations go to local schools for needy students who come to school unprepared.
The Kiwanis Club meets every Thursday at 8 a.m. at Ben's Family Restaurant, 704 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon.
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