STUFF THE BUS

School buses are usually crammed with kids, but last weekend at least one Kasson bus was stuffed with something a little different.
On Saturday. Ready, Set, Learn of Dodge County (RSL) held a Stuff the Bus event outside the Shopko store in Kasson. The idea was to stuff the bus with school supplies for needy children from all over Dodge County for the upcoming school year.
Several shoppers went into Shopko and came out ready to donate school supplies to RSL. One man wheeled out a shopping car packed with various school supplies. He proudly handed off the cart to RSL committee members RSL collected supplies of all sorts, including backpacks, glue sticks, markers, notebooks, pencils, pencil pouches, highlighters and pens.
Basically any supply needed to be used by children in school ends up in the hands of RSL members.
Besides several tubs of donated supplies, RSL collected cash donations. “We were blessed with around $300 in cash donations from our donation jar,” said Tanya Young, program coordinator with RSL.
Young noted the distribution of the supplies will take place on Aug. 13 and 14 from 5-7 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kasson.
Families must fill out an application prior to picking up supplies.
Applications can be picked up atSt. John’s, SEMCAC or MN Prairie Alliance.
In 2017, RSL served 258 children from around the county with school supplies. “We’re hoping we can reach as many children as possible,” Young said. RSL aims to help families in need. “It’s helping children in need that are wanting to keep going to school and parents can’t afford the supplies,” Young said.
If you didn’t get a chance to stuff the bus at Shopko, Young said donations will still be accepted through July 31. Supplies may be dropped off at St. John’s. RSL also accepts cash donations. For additional information, families can reach Young at tyoung8550@yahoo. com or calling her at 316-390-5368.