SunLine Transit Agency to Host Annual 'Pack the Bus' School Supply Drive

From SunLine Transit Agency:

SunLine Transit Agency will host the third, annual "Pack the Bus" backpack and school supply drive Saturday, Aug. 13 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Walmart parking lot at 34500 Monterey Ave. in Palm Desert to collect backpacks and school supplies for families in need, to be distributed by the Mecca Boys & Girls Club.

The new school year is here, but many local students are not able to shop for that new backpack or school supplies. The Mecca Boys & Girls Club will be this year’s beneficiary of the drive, a local organization which provides events and programs for local youth as well as a teen center. Its mission is to save and enhance the lives of the young people in the community, especially those with economic and/or social needs, by offering a safe haven and meaningful youth development programs provided by a caring and qualified staff. The Mecca Boys & Girls Club will distribute supplies and backpacks raised through this drive to local students in need.

“We encourage those in all local communities to come out this Saturday and help us pack this bus!” said Lauren Skiver, CEO/general manager of SunLine Transit Agency “We have the perfect vehicle to fill and deliver these much-needed backpacks and supplies to local kids, and we’re happy to dedicate it for this purpose as it is such a worthy effort.”

The goal is to top what was collected at last year's "Pack the Bus" backpack and school supply drive – more than 3,000 items and 300 backpacks. In addition to backpacks, school supplies can include crayons, markers, pencils, note pads, binders, erasers, rulers and glue. All items should be new and unused.

This event is put on in partnership with the Palm Desert Sunset Rotary. Members of SunLine’s management team, staff and volunteers from the Mecca Boys & Girls Club will be on site to greet donors, assist with drop-offs and thank the community for its generosity.

For more information, call (760) 343-3456 and ask for Norma Stevens.

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