As students in the area gear up for the new school year, the annual Stuff The Bus event is underway and will continue through next week.

This time, the Augusta GreenJackets have joined the initiative, urging attendees to contribute school supplies for underprivileged students at Sunday’s game.

Brittany Burnett, President and CEO of United Way says the GreenJackets game was the perfect way to swing into the donation drive.

“We’ve established a wonderful partnership with the Augusta GreenJackets, so today, if attendees bring school supplies to the game, they’ll receive a complimentary hotdog. We recognize that this is a prime time when people are focused on the upcoming school year, and we’re here today to offer a convenient way to gather supplies,” stated Burnett.

The donations can be anything school related such as pencils, notebooks and binders but there is a high need for elementary age backpacks, earbuds, calculators and headphones.

“What we know is that about 48% of the families here in the CSRA are struggling in some way and there really isn’t a budget item for school supplies. We want to be sure all of our kids are prepared and ready to learn so this is one way that we can provide various environments to do that for all of our families right here in our community,” Burnett said.

She says a donation is never too big or too small.

“We’ve got kids hat are bringing one pack of crayons and we’ve got some that are bringing four big bags of supplies so knowing that when everyone pitches in if it’s a little or a lot the collectiveness of that is really going to make an impact,” said Burnett.

If you wish to donate items you can drop them off at Television Park, 1336 Augusta W Pkwy, Augusta, GA or at these collection drives:

Friday, July 18th from 7am-8am at ADP, One ADP Drive, Augusta 30909

Friday, July 18th from 8am-12pm at the Kroc Center, 1833 Broad Street, Augusta GA

Saturday, July 19th from 9am-1pm at Walmart in Waynesboro, 1500 N. Liberty Street, Waynesboro, GA

United Way of the CSRA Stuff the Bus link.