Annual ‘Fill the Bucket’ campaign meets supply needs

Administrators from schools were outside Albertsons supermarket Friday morning reminding area residents about an annual back-to-school event. Valley Electric Association’s ‘Fill the Bucket’ campaign collects school supplies and distributes the items to area schools.

The campaign has been a mainstay in the community for more than 10 years.

Manse Elementary School Principal Kyle Lindberg said the program would be difficult to continue without the support from local residents.

“It’s been wonderful to see people dropping by,” he said. “The public has been very receptive to it. We are actually getting monetary donations as well as school supplies, which is great because now we can go out and purchase exactly what we need for the kids. The support from the community is just phenomenal.”

Hafen Elementary School Principal Kenny Weaver said the Fill the Bucket campaign literally fills the void left by families who are financially stressed.

“These kinds of school supply drives are pivotal for the success of the students,” he said. “Those who come to school without proper supplies kind of feel left out. I am glad that we can provide them for them. You can see the glow from the students when they receive their supplies, because they have increased self-confidence about themselves.”

The start of the fall semester is August 8.

Meanwhile, Floyd Elementary School Principal Jeff Skelton noted that faculty and staff at his campus have been in preparation mode for the past two weeks.

“We have to do some testing before school starts and a lot of teachers are preparing and getting their rooms decorated for the upcoming fall semester,” he said. “There are a lot of positives in our community, which is great. We are looking forward to another great school year.”

Contact reporter Selwyn Harris at sharris@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @pvtimes