As the new school year approaches, the Department of Education estimates that the average family in Cayman will spend $350 on needed back to school supplies — an amount that many low-income families cannot afford.

Caribbean Alliance Insurance’s annual Stuff the Bus school supply drive is back to help bridge the gap between what families can afford and what students need to return to public schools.

The goal of this community initiative is to fill a yellow school bus with donations such as backpacks, notebooks, crayons, pens, pencils, lunch kits etc. Last year’s initiative secured 3,738 supplies and the donated supplies were presented to the Department of Children and Family Services, The Needs Assessment Unit, The Cayman Islands Cancer Society and The Special Needs Foundation for distribution to families with children needing assistance.

This year Caribbean Alliance has partnered with Cost U Less, the island’s largest bulk retailer, to help increase the number of donations.

A special Stuff the Bus school supply area will be on display inside Cost U Less and live events with Caribbean Alliance and members of respective charities will be held in the store on the weekends.

“There are many ways the community can ensure that children less fortunate have everything they need to succeed in the new school year,” commented Aleisha Lalor, Cayman Islands Branch Manager of Caribbean Alliance Insurance. “And this year, thanks to like-minded partnerships with the Management team of Cost U Less, our school supply drive is on track to being bigger and better than ever and we hope that our combined efforts equip even more children with the tools and materials they need to start the school year off right.”

The donation drive will run between July 31st and August 19th and anyone who wishes to purchase and donate supplies can do so by purchasing items and drop them off at boxes located inside Cost-U- Less or Caribbean Alliance Insurance Office at 203 Alissta Towers.

The following supplies for children ranging in ages 6-16 are being collected and every little bit counts:
* Pencil pouches
* Pencil erasers
* #2 pencils
* Short-length school scissors
* Blue or black pens
* Glue sticks
* 24-packs of crayons
* Wide-rule single-subject notebooks
* Markers
* 150-page wide-rule packs of loose leaf paper
* 12-packs of colored pencils
Pocket folders

The charities that will receive this years donations are The Department of Children and Family Services, The Needs Assessment Unit, The Crisis Centre and The Special Needs Foundation.
For more information on “Stuff the Bus,” or to organize your own mini-collection, visit us on Facebook @StuffTheBusCayman or call Caribbean Alliance on 949-9744