Director Wanda Parent with acting translators for the event, Maynor Campos and Jason Clark
Photo: Courtesy
Aisles of Smiles and School Supplies
By Lisa Blanchette
The gymnasium of Curtis Lake Church was not just lined with tables full of school supplies on August 23, it was lined with the smiles of students picking out backpacks and schools supplies to get them off to a positive start for the school year ahead. Year 18 of the Stuff the Bus was one for the record books with over 800 backpacks distributed. Wanda Parent, Director of Stuff the Bus Maine, said it was the biggest turnout for the event ever. Wanda and her volunteers stayed an additional hour over their scheduled time to accommodate all the students who came by to pick up backpacks and supplies.
This event was run by Parent, but she’s the first to acknowledge the hard work of the many volunteers…or a “small army of people,” who do an incredible job making this day a success. These volunteers help to move supplies, check people in, help children “shop” for their supplies, according to grade-level shopping lists, and do the less-than-glamorous clean up duties. This year there were two translators on hand as well.
In addition to the kindness of Curtis Lake Church donating the space for the event, other local businesses lending help were Richie’s Jerk BBQ, who fed the volunteers, and Central Furniture, who supplied a box truck to help move the supplies.
Beyond the school supplies available to the students, there were much appreciated supplies for classroom teachers and a station where books were given out free of charge.
The distribution event may be over, but Stuff the Bus isn’t done. It supports students year-round. If there is something that someone needs, Parent will do her best to get it for them if she can. If a new child moves into the district and needs school supplies, she will do whatever she can to make it happen.
As long as people continue to support the program with funding, Parent is committed to continuing to secure the supplies and get them to the students who need them. She can be reached via email at wmparent@hotmail.com. To learn about Stuff the Bus Maine you can go to their Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Stuffthebusme/
Stuff the Bus Maine comes under the fiscal 501c3 sponsorship of Strategies for a Stronger Sanford. Donation checks may be mailed to PO Box 958 Sanford, ME 04073 made payable to SFSS please mark them clearly for STB in the memo line.
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