Though school is out and Forsyth County students are no longer riding school buses, the vehicles will remain packed this summer, thanks to an annual initiative sponsored by United Way of Forsyth County.

Stuff the Bus, an initiative now in its ninth year, is a “community effort to supply low income and at-risk Forsyth County students with the school supplies they need to begin the school year,” according to Melissa Corliss, director of community impact for the nonprofit.

The program began in Forsyth in 2009 after United Way found that local families were struggling to afford even the most basic school supplies.

The first year it ran, United Way collected 3,000 supplies — a “modest number,” Corliss said.

Since then, however, around 230,000 school supply items have been collected and distributed to Forsyth students, “giving them the supplies they needed to start the school year off on the right track.”

Last year, local companies and civic organizations collected nearly 50,000 items.

Collections, which began June 1, will run through the end of July.

Those interested in donating can drop off supplies at the United Way office, which is located at 240 Elm Street in Cumming, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

For more information, call (770) 781-4110 or email Corliss at melissa@unitedwayforsyth.com.