Locals penciled in time to ‘Stuff the Bus’ for Autauga County Schools

Malia Riggs 

Elmore Autauga News 

As students prepare to head back to school in Autauga County, the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Autauga Education Foundation, AEF, are preparing to help students make A’s in a different way. 

The Prattville Chamber has partnered with the AEF and Autauga County Schools, ACS, to literally stuff the bus. The event is still ongoing at the Prattville Chamber where they will accept donations of school supplies until 1 p.m. today to benefit students of ACS. 

“Supplies are distributed to all the schools, so that when teachers see a need, they can pull from the donated items to ensure students have what they need to be successful in the classroom,” director of Elementary Curriculum and Instructional Services, Holly McNider said. 

Prattville, Autauga County residents and businesses are encouraged to donate school supplies and literally “stuff” the bus full of much-needed items for the upcoming school year. 

Supplies such as binders, hand sanitizer, pens, pencils, art supplies, notebooks, Kleenex and so much more are just some of the supplies ACS and partners of this event are looking for.  

“These events are a tremendous help to our students! Rather than worry about what they don’t have, students can focus on what they’re learning in the classroom because of the generosity of our community,” McNider said. 

This is an event geared towards collected school supplies for all ages K-12. Not only is this fundraiser helpful in bringing the community together in supporting local schools and students, but it’s a great way to provide some much-needed relief to families within the Autauga County community.  

“After speaking with ACS and the Superintendent, we realized there was a need. There are students and families that absolutely cannot afford the expense of supplies. Thankfully, the school steps in and they’re going to provide some of that, but we as the AEF felt like our continued partnership with them could also help,” chair elect of the AEF, Nelda Sorrells said. 

This event and the supplies donated will go towards Autauga County students and will also help to bridge the gap and bring relief to administration, educators, and numerous families throughout the school district.  

Sorrells also confirmed that school supplies donations can be dropped off at the Prattville Chamber for AEF and ACS at any time, even after the Stuff the Bus event has ended. The Chamber’s hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.