Citizens asked to help ‘Stuff the Bus’

Mayor Rodney Grogan and Patterson schools will have a third annual “Stuff the Bus” event Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. at Walmart in Bayou Vista.
Donations can include school supplies as well as personal items students can use and even cash, Grogan said.
Two years ago “Stuff the Bus” began as an initiative to support Hattie Watts Elementary students, but last year it was expanded to include the junior high school and high school, Grogan said.
The Patterson Volunteer Fire Department and local businesses were major contributors the past two years along with individuals in the community, the mayor said.
“I am happy that Walmart has joined on board to support the cause,” Grogan said. “They are not only allowing us to be out there Saturday but they are actually giving us support and will make contributions.”
Items Grogan suggested to donate include notebooks, pencils, erasers, disinfectant wipes, loose leaf paper, copy paper, markers, colored pencils, glue, glue sticks, tissue, and paper towels.
Students at Hattie Watts Elementary could benefit from donations of socks, underwear (boys and girl) and belts, he said.
Junior high and high school students could benefit from binders, dry erase markers, belts, and feminine products.
Teresa Bagwell, assistant superintendent of schools, said, “We deeply appreciate any and all donations, especially the support shown by the community for our students.”