HONOLULU (KHON2) — From Tuesday, July 1 until Sunday, July 27, an annual donation drive at Pearlridge Center will “stuff the bus” for local students in need.
To raise awareness for the drive, the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) and Ground Transport Inc. partnered to park a full-size yellow school bus outside of the Pearlridge Mauka food court entrance.
Donations of notebooks, pens, pencils, backpacks and slippers or other footwear will be accepted at participating stores during mall hours.
Located in both Mauka and Wai Makai side, supporting stores include: Aloha Salads, Big City Diner, Tj Maxx, Laine Honolulu, Razor Concepts, T&C Surf Designs, Five Guys and the Sharing the Butterfly Experience Exhibit.
The supplies will be distributed to public school students enrolled in Aiea, Pearl City, Waipahu and Kapolei Complex areas before the first day of school.
What supplies are needed most?
The drive aims to support students living in unstable housing conditions.
According to the DOE, donations of classroom supplies for homeless keiki usually allow them to provide students what’s needed for classwork: backpacks, notebooks and pens.
The DOE said they often have a need for footwear, shoes and slippers.
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The Education for Homeless Children and Youth program can be contacted at 808-348-0304 or 808-723-4192 with any questions about how to help. Needs can also be fulfilled directly through the Purposity website HERE.