Press release from the United Way of Central Kansas…

The United Way of Central Kansas Board of Directors, staff, and Community Partners would like to thank each and every person who donated to our annual Stuff the Bus event this year. This project is a great undertaking, which is led by community leaders in each of our communities.

In Great Bend, Dianne Call & Kay Wilbur manage the event at both Dillons locations and Wal-Mart, Toni Schneweis manages the Hoisington event, Tama Hanson runs the multiple sites in Larned including Dillons, Shopko, and Dollar General, and Becca Maxwell and Nancy Baird take on the event in Ellinwood. This event would not be possible without their hard work and dedication to supporting our Community Partners.

Our Community Partners work the event each year, handing out flyers to shoppers, helping unload the bus, and sorting all the items as they come in. They are integral to this being a success.

Each year, we are humbled by the generosity of our communities. In total, more than 6,000 items were donated and over $2,000. These items are distributed to our community partners to stock their food and non-food pantries, stock bookbags for students in need, and provide supplies to keep our local non-profits running, even when funds are tight. Without these donations, these items would have to be purchased by the agencies, cutting into their already tight budgets, and allows them to put their funds towards those in need in our community.

Each agency will soon be shopping from the items that you, our neighbors, donated to support our Community Partners. We are grateful for each and every donation that was received. Your contribution supports the building clocks for better lives and stronger communities. You are making a difference.