United Way collects school supplies for Akron and Medina students

United Way of Summit & Medina is collecting items for its “Stuff the Bus” school supplies drive. Requested supplies include pencils, crayons, scissors, erasers, folders, glue sticks, rulers, notebooks, calculators and more.

An estimated 39% of Summit County households and 31% of Medina County households struggle to afford Ohio’s cost of living, according to a report by Ohio United Way. For families on a tight budget, school supplies can represent a significant expense, both at the start of the school year and after, when students must replenish used materials.

To purchase and ship items directly for the supply drive, visit uwsummitmedina.org/event/stuff-the-bus-medina for Medina County donations and uwsummitmedina.org/event/akron-stuff-the-bus-recharge for Summit County donations and click on the Amazon link at the bottom of the page.

To drop off donated supplies in person, visit United Way’s offices at 37 N. High St., Akron, or 23 Public Square, Suite L-1, Medina, during business hours.

Donations for Medina students will be accepted through the month of July. Donations for Akron students will be accepted through the month of October.

Items collected for Stuff the Bus will be sorted and packed by volunteers at the Medina Sort-a-Thon on Aug. 1, for distribution on the first day of school, and Akron Sort-a-Thon on Nov. 14, for distribution on the first day back from winter break. Visit the respective websites listed above to learn more and register. ∞