Over the past three weeks, transit passengers from across King County
donated enough school supplies to fill an entire 30-foot Metro bus. Today, that
bus was unstuffed so the supplies could be distributed to children served by
the state Department of Social and Health Services – just in time for the new
school year.
"I never cease to be amazed by the generosity of the residents of this
region," said King County Executive Ron
Sims. "The ‘Stuff A Bus’ campaign was short and sweet – targeted at people who ride Metro and
Sound Transit buses, but the response
exceeded our expectations. I am really thrilled to turn these school supplies
over to the State Department of Social and
Health Services [external link] to be
distributed to children who can use a helping hand."
The ‘Stuff A Bus’ campaign was pioneered by
Community Transit [external link]
in Snohomish County, and this year spread to King County. Transit employees
accepted donations of new school supplies at seven different King County
park-and-ride lots during the first three weeks of August, and the Metro Pass
Sales Office in Pioneer Square.
The collection netted more than 100 boxes, bags and cartons of backpacks,
pencils, crayons, and all sorts of supplies that will give kids a positive
feeling about going back to school. The collection was unloaded this morning by
Sims and other transit officials at the King West Office of the Division of
Children and Family Services (DCFS), part of DSHS. The office serves children
at risk, most of who have been abused, neglected or exploited.
"I would like to thank King County Metro for its joint effort with Sound
Transit, demonstrating commitment and support in advancing the education of
children through the sponsorship of this excellent project," said Jacquelyn
Buchanan, regional administrator for Region 4, Department of Children and
Family Services.
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