'Stuff the Bus' School Supply Drive Begins Today

It's easy to wander off the shopping list when browsing 's massive selection of wares. But rather than purchasing those "As Seen on TV" products that you may not need, consider helping students in need.

Starting today and continuing through Sunday, Walmart shoppers can purchase items from a list of supplies to donate to students of and Hayward school districts for "."

During the annual donation drive, buses from the school districts will be parked outside and filled up as donation items are purchased.

“Last year’s ‘Stuff the Bus’ was a tremendous boon for our students, especially those from families for whom purchasing school supplies is an additional financial burden at the start of the school year,” said New Haven Superintendent Kari McVeigh in a press release.

According to McVeigh, shoppers donated thousands of writing instruments, hundreds of binders and folders, and hundreds of reams of paper. The supplies were distributed to students from all grade levels and were used throughout the school year, she said.

Shoppers can contribute any time of the day as donation bins will be available 24 hours each day this weekend.

Helping with the event will be volunteers from various organizations, including the , the and Rotaract of Fremont. The volunteers will greet shoppers and accept donations from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and tomorrow and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

mascot “Andy the Armadillo” and volunteers from the restaurant will also help from 2 to 5 p.m. today.

Fans of the popular weekly will also be in for a special treat this weekend.

On Saturday, the Union City Chamber of Commerce and Food Truck Mafia will host a special food truck gathering from 4:30 to 9 p.m. to support the event. Vendors will include Grillstars, That's Sweet Dessert Truck, El Malecon, Mogo BBQ, Mobowl and others. A DJ will also be there to provide entertainment, making it a fun event for the family.