It's time to 'Stuff the Bus' for Porter County kids

Applications to help provide school supplies for children in need for grades kindergarten through 12 attending Porter County schools this fall are being accepted at The Salvation Army.

Applications can be dropped off from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, through July 29 at 799 Capitol Road, South Haven.

Parents or guardians are asked to bring the following: a photo ID of adult, parent or guardian who is filling out application for household, Social Security cards of each child student to be assisted, all birth certificates of each child student to be assisted and proof of Porter County residence -- like a current bill with name and address.

The Salvation Army has been serving Porter County children and young adults in assisting their need for school supplies since 2007 with the desire to help them return to school with the proper tools needed to learn. More than 1,000 children have been helped since the beginning of this program.

The Salvation Army has again partnered with Staples in Valparaiso, Super Kmart in Portage and Kmart in Chesterton to collect the school supplies for children and will have The Salvation Army bus in their parking lots on Aug. 1 to 5.

People can help by sending a check to The Salvation Army "Stuff the Bus," PO Box 828, Portage IN 46368-0828 or bring in supplies or donations to 799 Capitol Road. volunteers are also needed during collection week and distribution day.

For more information, call Kathy Childress or Vicki Burge at (219) 762-9191

People can help Porter County students in several ways: Send a check to The Salvation Army "Stuff the Bus" P.O. Box 828, Portage, IN 46368-0828, bring in supplies or monetary donations to The Salvation Army Corps, 799 Capitol Road or buy supplies/prepackaged bags prepared by the stores or make up your own bag of school supplies (including backpack) and "stuff" The Salvation Army busor volunteer to help during collection week and distribution day. For additional information, contact Kathy Childress or Vicki Burge at (219) 762-9191.