The Salvation Army Teams Up With Retailers to Provide Back-to-School Needs For Kids
Alaska’s volunteers and community members support local children with school supply donations
Anchorage, Alaska – Walmart and The Salvation Army are joining forces to provide new school supplies to local children in need across Alaska during the “Stuff the Bus” campaign event at participating Anchorage, Eagle River, Fairbanks, Ketchikan, Kodiak and Wasilla Walmarts on Saturday, August 3, 2019, from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
As part of a nationwide effort, the “Stuff the Bus” campaign event in locations across Alaska are just part of nearly 3,000 similar events taking place at Walmart stores across the country. In-store shoppers on August 3 will receive lists of supplies needed, and all they have to do to participate is purchase and drop off the requested items at The Salvation Army collection bins located at the front of each store.
“Your local Alaskan Walmarts are proud to support The Salvation Army with Stuff the Buss on August 3,” said Walmart Anchorage Midtown Store Manager Mike Morris. “We are excited to be part of this great event to help local students prepare for this coming school year.”
For those who prefer online ordering, there is a searchable online school supply registry at Walmart with all the items needed; each item requires just one click to purchase. Click here to view The Salvation Army Alaska Division’s school supply registry.
For those who are not able to make it to a Walmart on August 3, Fred Meyer stores across Alaska will be collecting donated school supplies on behalf of The Salvation Army through August 23 at customer service desks to help children in need get ready for school.
“Fred Meyer is excited to have this opportunity to work with The Salvation Army to help provide school supplies for students in Alaska’s local communities,” said Fred Meyer Northern Lights Location Assistant Store Manager Sarah Peters.
“There are over 100,000 kids heading back to school in Alaska this year, and thousands will need assistance to start the school year off right,” said Major John Brackenbury from The Salvation Army. “By donating school supplies or a warm coat for a child in need, you’re easing the burden parents experience at the start of the school year, and helping set the right tone for these kids as they head back to school. It’s the boost of confidence they need to have a successful year.”
In addition, local organizations in Anchorage will be hosting Coats for Kids donation drive boxes to help families in need of back-to-school assistance with warm winter coats from July 29 through August 23. To find a Coats for Kids donation box near you, visit The Salvation Army Alaska’s donation drive webpage or sign-up to host your own Coats for Kids drive by calling The Salvation Army at 907-276-2515 or emailing ak.development@usw.salvationarmy.org.
All donations towards “Stuff the Bus” at Walmart, Back-to-School supplies at Fred Meyer and Coats for Kids donation drives will remain in the local community and will help The Salvation Army provide back-to-school support to local children in need. Some school supplies will be distributed to The Salvation Army’s Operation Santa providing to children in rural communities.
Thanks to generous school supply and kids’ coat donors in Alaska, local families, like the Franklins in Anchorage, will be able to confidently send their children off to their first day of school knowing they are equipped with the tools to have a positive school year.
To learn more and find out how you can get involved with your local Salvation Army, visit alaska.salvationarmy.org.
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About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operations around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood