'Stuff-the-Bus' drive collects supplies for local schools

 ELKHART, Ind. -- Walmart and The Salvation Army have teamed up to collect back-to-school supplies for local school districts as part of a nationwide effort to ease the burden educators experience at the start of the school year.

“Stuff-the-Bus” drive is part of a national campaign with approximately 3,000 events happening at Walmart stores nationwide on Aug.3.

On Saturday, in-store shoppers donated to storefront collection bins.

ABC 57 spoke to Salvation Army Captain, Shawn DeBaar, who said teachers spend a surprising amount every year on classroom supplies.

“We have some surveyed information from educators within the Elkhart community schools that the average that those educators are spending is about $1000 out of pocket every year.”

The Salvation Army will distribute these supplies to local school districts in partnership with the Elkhart Education Foundation.

Elkhart Education Foundation volunteers will be sorting at a distribution warehouse provided for the Salvation Army.

All donations go towards back-to-school support for hundreds of local children in the community.