Throughout the month of August, Walmart will have bins similar to the one pictured, located throughout the store, so shoppers can drop off school supplies. The 'Build A Backpack' campaign is a joint effort between Walmart and Communities In Schools to collect school supplies for students in the public schools.

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Communities in Schools of Richmond County (CISRC), part of a dropout prevention network in North Carolina, has announced participation in a statewide partnership with Walmart to collect school supplies for economically disadvantaged students in North Carolina.

Now in its second year, the “Build A Backpack” back-to-school supply drive is the largest school supply drive ever conducted by Walmart in North Carolina, involving all 139 local Walmart stores across the state.

The campaign, which launched on July 23 and runs until Aug. 31, will have bins available in the local store to collect donated school supply items for Richmond County students. The items will be distributed to CISRC, and will then be distributed to low-income public school students.

Individuals can also participate in this drive from home by donating money to the WSOC-TV Channel 9 School Tools website https://www.school-tools.org/, and selecting Richmond County. Money collected will be distributed to the CISRC to purchase needed school supplies.

CIS of Richmond County, the United Way of Richmond County, Richmond County Schools and Walmart will also team up next week to sponsor “Stuff the Bus,” a school supplies drive during tax-free weekend on Aug. 3 and 4. Individuals will have the opportunity to make donations at that time as well.

“We could not be more thrilled with the success of the ‘Build a Backpack’ supply drive last year,” said Ronny Hayes, regional vice president of Walmart and CISNC board member. “It is our hope that the success of this campaign piloted here in North Carolina, with the help of CIS, will ensure that the neediest students will be the recipients of the collected items.”

Signage promoting “Build A Backpack” will appear in the Rockingham Walmart store and throughout all Walmart stores in North Carolina.

“With a presence in 44 counties across North Carolina, CIS touches North Carolina’s neediest children,” said Linda Harrill, president and CEO of CISNC. “In fact, 97 percent of the students that CIS serves are economically disadvantaged. We thank Walmart for its commitment to serve those most in need by launching such a massive and promising school supply campaign. A small investment today in ‘Build A Backpack’ will pay a big dividend in the lives of students who need the essential tools that support their success in school.”

CISNC will also work in partnership with United Way and other organizations in North Carolina to distribute supplies in select communities.

“Just as adults need to be prepared for their jobs, students need to be prepared for school,” said John Kirkpatrick, executive director of CISRC. “If a student starts the year off with everything needed to be successful, he or she will be more likely to end the year on a positive note.”

To find out more about how you can participate in the Stuff the Bus or Build a Backpack campaigns, contact Richmond County Schools at 910-582-5860.