JONESBORO, Ark. — Local school buses are filling up with more than students this week as residents across Northeast Arkansas join forces for the annual 'Stuff the Bus' campaign. Aimed at providing essential school supplies, the effort ensures children in the community are ready for the first day of school, which is just ten days away.

Volunteers and organizations stationed themselves outside area Walmart stores over the weekend to collect donations, enduring the summer heat to rally community support. According to participants, the campaign is not only about supplies but also about fostering equal opportunities for local students.

Shelly Lamb, a Regents Bank associate and city commissioner, understands the need on a personal level. Juggling her role as a volunteer with her responsibilities as a mother of seven children in the Jonesboro school system, Lamb emphasized the importance of community involvement.

"This is really important to me because I know there are a lot of families who would struggle to buy the needed supplies," Lamb shared, standing beside a donation booth she managed alongside her daughter since early Saturday morning. "I just want all the kids to feel like they have a successful start to the school year, that they’re ready to come and learn and become great members of our community."

By midday Saturday, Lamb's booth alone collected more than 2,000 individual supplies.

Participants like Joyce Glenn, a former Nettleton High School teacher, also brought unique insights to the drive. Glenn noted the importance of purchasing quality items, believing they make a difference in students’ classroom experiences. She specifically chose name-brand products, such as Crayola crayons, for her contribution.

"I know they like the name-brand things, so I tried to buy the Crayola crayons instead of the generic," Glenn explained. "There’s a lot of families in need right now, so anything we can do to help is a plus."

The campaign coincided with the statewide tax-free weekend, which continues through Sunday, allowing donors to stretch their contributions further. The 'Stuff the Bus' initiative highlights the Northeast Arkansas community's dedication to supporting education and ensuring every student begins the school year equipped for success.