Kiwanis project 'schools' the area

Schools on the Palouse can count on a little extra help from their communities as the Pullman and Moscow Kiwanis clubs complete their ninth consecutive Stuff the Bus project to provide help for those families who cannot afford to buy all of the school supplies they need this year.

According to Kiwanis member Anne Cheadle, the annual event has been a success again this year.

"We've had a lot of donations," she said, between thanking donors of all ages who approached the big yellow school bus in the Moscow Staple's parking lot with cash or recently purchased supplies. "There are a lot of people in the community who like to help out."

Cheadle said volunteers have manned the buses that have been a visual reminder of the project since Thursday and have collected items from writing implements to backpacks for area children.

And it's not only individuals who have gotten in on the act of giving, as the Latah County Library District has been collecting school supplies to donate to the cause in place of late fees for books and movies, and other businesses and churches - including Staples and Wells Fargo - have also been collecting the needed things.

Wells Fargo Regional Manager Casey Holcomb took her dedication to the cause seriously and has had boots on the ground during the project, volunteering alongside Kiwanis members in the area.

"This is my sixth year," Holcomb said. "The time we spend makes a difference."

Cheadle agreed.

"They've been so great," she said.

Cheadle said while the primary goal of the project is providing schools with supplies they can place where the greatest need exists, another object is creating awareness of the need itself.

"It really is a lot of community awareness," she said. "We're letting people know this is a big deal for families."

Preparing children for the school year can be costly, Cheadle and Holcomb noted. Students often have their eye on a special backpack or set of pens that may be out of a family's financial grasp.

Cheadle said the funds collected in place of supplies during Stuff the Bus are provided to schools to fill the most dire needs.

"It's really nice that it can just go where they need it," she said. "We have a lot of supplies that will go to use right away."

While the project is officially over, those who missed the big yellow buses around town and would still like to donate can contact the Pullman or Moscow Kiwanis Clubs through their Facebook pages or websites at Pullmankiwanis.org and Moscowkiwanisone.org.

Shanon Quinn can be reached at (208)-883-4636 or by email to squinn@dnews.com