Perkins police collecting school supplies

PERKINS TWP. — As part of the area's ongoing Stuff the Bus campaign, Perkins police is taking an active role in not only promoting this youth-based initiative but also collecting supplies going directly to area children. "And we need your help to make this back-to-school season a little brighter for local children in need," according to a department statement. Here are some new items the department seeks from community members: • Backpacks • Folders • Pens and pencils • Crayons and markers • Rulers, notebooks and filler paper • Erasers, pencil cases and binders Throughout July, people can drop off items in a donation bin located in the department's lobby on a 24/7 basis. The police station is located at 2610 Columbus Ave., Sandusky, near Kroger. There's also an upcoming in-person event in which people can donate items. Officers will be at the Sandusky-area Walmart from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1. "Your generosity will make a huge difference for local students in need, so let's come together to make sure every child has the supplies they need for a successful school year," the statement read. "Thank you for supporting our community." What is Stuff the Bus? With back-to-school season fast approaching, the Stuff the Bus committee of Erie and Huron counties is once again stepping in to make sure students have what they need to succeed. The initiative is a joint effort between local school districts and community partners, including VacationLand Federal Credit Union, the Sandusky Mall and the Sandusky Bay Kiwanis Community Service Corp. Now open for registration, this program offers free backpacks and school supplies to local students entering grades K-8 whose families are experiencing financial hardship. More specifically, it helps out students enrolled in all Erie County schools and various ones in Huron County: Bellevue, Monroeville, New London, South Central, Willard and St. Francis Xavier. On a related note, Norwalk and St. Paul operate their separate Stuff the Bus campaign. The goal is to relieve some of the financial pressure that comes with getting kids ready for the school year. Backpacks will be distributed through the student's school, and families will be notified when pick-up is scheduled. To participate, families must register by July 27. Registration can be completed at vlfcu.org/stuffthebus or by scanning the QR code provided by the district. For those preferring paper, forms can be submitted by mail or email. While the campaign kicked off in June, it continues through Aug. 4, which gives "the committee and volunteers ample time to inventory donations, stuff backpacks and deliver to the schools," according to an event statement. People can contact Heather Gilchrist at 419-625-9025, ext. 1342, or via email at hgilchrist@vlfcu.org, for more information. People can learn more and see a full list of area dropoff locations by visiting facebook.com/stuffthebuseriehuroncounties.