Pasco Teachers Receive School Supplies From United Way Drive

An estimated $40,000 worth of supplies and donations, and more than $5,000 in cash and gift cards were donated by shoppers during this year's "Stuff the Bus" event held by United Way of Pasco.

Between Aug. 2 and Aug. 5 shoppers dropped off supplies to school buses at participating Publix and Wal-Mart stores to help teachers in Pasco schools get their year off to a good start.

"Our community rallied around our teachers this year," said Duggan Cooley, President and CEO, United Way of Pasco County. "We are proud to present them with such generosity."

Volunteers participated to collect and sort the items into 775 teacher boxes, according to a press release from the United Way of Pasco. 

"You have ensured that our Pasco teachers start the 2013-2014 school year on the right foot. It was such a joy to receive the box of school supplies," said Sonia Ramos, a 3rd grade teacher at Gulf Trace Elementary quoted in the press release. "I know for a fact that the supplies will be given to students that desperately need them."