ROCKINGHAM — The annual Stuff the Bus campaign is being postponed by a day.
United Way of Richmond County Executive Director Michelle Parrish said in a email Monday that the event, now in its 13th year, has been rescheduled for 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4 in the Walmart parking lot.
Parrish said the threat of inclement weather on Tuesday is the reason for the date change.
According to the National weather Service, there is a 90% chance of showers during the day, with rainfall totals expected to be up to 1 inch.
The rain is forecast to move in Monday night and early Tuesday morning, with possible thunderstorms in the morning hours.
There is also a 30% chance of showers on Wednesday and a 50% chance of thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Showers are also likely Thursday and Friday.
Stuff the Bus is a partnership between the local United Way, Richmond County Schools and Walmart to provide supplies for students to use during the year.
The way the Stuff the Bus campaign works, Parrish explained to the RO last year, is individual donors and local corporations sponsor the bus and UWRC and Richmond County Schools “take every penny” to purchase supplies. Some people and companies also donate supplies directly, she added.
Once collected, the supplies will be divvied up among the county’s schools and dispersed by the guidance counselors and social workers.
The 2019 drive collected around 32,500 supplies including notebooks, paper and pencils.
