Contribute To 'Stuff The Bus': Help Homeless Polk County Students

 The Bartow Chamber Young Professionals (CYP)’s “Stuff the Bus,” initiative entails collecting donations for Polk’s students in need. The month-long campaign will began with a CYP luncheon on July 21.

“The number of homeless children and youth in the Polk County School System is growing year after year,” said Dee Dee Wright, Polk County School Board Project Hearth Specialist and guest speaker at the luncheon. Homeless children and youth are students who lack a fixed regular and adequate nighttime residence. Ms. Wright’s office works to address the needs of Polk’s homeless students year round.
Anyone may donate to the drive by bringing donations to the Bartow Chamber until August 19.

According to Wright, the items most needed this time of year are school supplies including , backpacks, zip binders, paper, 3-prong folders, spiral notebooks and calculators (scientific and graphing). In addition, school uniforms, gift cards for food, medical and dental services, as well as hygiene items such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, hair brushes and feminine products are always in need.

The average age of a homeless person in America is 9 years old. In Florida, 49,117 students were identified as living in a homeless situation during the 2009-2010 school year, with the majority identified as elementary students. Thirty-one Polk County students were identified as living in a car or on the streets in 2009-2010.
“It’s just shocking,” said Catherine Tucker of TD Bank and CYP Chairwoman. “I think this is a good project for our group, as so many of our members have school-aged children themselves,” she added.

The Bartow Chamber Young Professionals is a program designed to offer social networking, professional development and volunteer opportunities to ambitious young professionals, ages 21 to 42.

Membership in the group is geared toward improving career opportunities, developing leadership abilities, building personal networks and giving back to the greater Bartow community. Members make valuable connections with peers from various industries and have access to prominent and influential leaders.
For more information on the Bartow Chamber Young Professionals, or the “Stuff The Bus” drive, call the Chamber at (863) 533-7125, or email catherine.tucker@td.com.