This Friday, in conjunction with United Way of South Mississippi, Walmart in Picayune will host the “Fill the Bus” event.
According to a United Way release, this event focuses on gathering school supplies for students in need.
“School supplies are the tools students need to do their job,” United Way’s CEO Cynthia Minton Walker said in the release. “Without them, a child is already at a disadvantage. So help us ‘Fill the Bus’ by sharing what you can when you visit Walmart.”
Picayune Walmart’s Auto Care Center Manager George Fassitt is one of many employees involved with the event’s committee.
“This program helps our local community,” Fassitt said. “It’s a big expense this time of year, which can become a burden to families.”
During Friday’s event, which lasts from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., customers are asked to purchase new school supplies and drop it in the box outside the store, Fassitt said.
Volunteers from both Picayune and Pearl River Central School Districts will also be facilitating the event, Fassitt said. Representatives of United Way will also be in attendance.
However, the Picayune Walmart will be extending the event through Saturday, independent of United Way, Fassitt said.
“We wanted to go above and beyond,” Fassitt said.
Saturday’s event will last from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., he said.
There will be a Coke wagon, where guests can purchase hot dogs and nachos, as well someone to construct animal shaped balloons for the children, Fassitt said.
Walmart in Picayune has hosted this event for the past six years and Fassitt said the response has been good, but believes this year will exceed previous year’s events.
The supplies will be distributed by school districts to needy children throughout Pearl River County, Fassitt said.
This weekend, customers who with to donate school supplies can take advantage of Mississippi’s Sales Tax holiday.
According to Mississippi’s Department of Revenue website, the Sales Tax holiday begins Friday, July 31 at 12:01 a.m. and ends Saturday, August 1 at midnight. For a list of eligible items, visit www.dor.ms.gov/secondsalestaxholiday.
Fassitt encourages people to participate.
“We truly want to reach out into the community and give back,” Fassitt said. “It’s a special day for us because it’s for the children. We are 100 percent for education.”
The supplies most needed include, #2 pencils, 24-pack crayons, colored pencils, dry-erase markers, Post-it notes, spiral notebooks, Crayola markers, highlighters, Elmer’s glue sticks, pink erasers, disinfectant wipes, wide-ruled notebook paper, individual facial tissue packages, quart and gallon sized Ziploc bags, three prong folders with pockets, subject dividers, hand sanitizer and paper towels.
The Walmart in Picayune is located at 235 Frontage Rd.