United Way of Cascade County is collecting school supplies and living essentials as part of its 16th annual Stuff the Bus drive on Aug. 6.

More than 100 volunteers will be at one of three buses donated by Big Sky Bus Lines that are parked at Target and both Walmarts, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Supplies collected through community drives and from shoppers that day will be given to local kids through the public schools and area nonprofits like the Great Falls Children’s Receiving Home, Boys & Girls Club and St. Vincent de Paul.

Business Bites: FedEx Ship Center update; Big Sky Bungee closing; GFPS book giveaway; Pony Up opening; Lewis and Clark Festival; Meet the Maker at 2J’s; ice cream truck; book sale; Baatz tax credits, donations; United Way grants

This year’s Stuff the Bus will also provide supplies for the Back 2 School Blast on Aug. 14 at Montana Expo Park. The event includes free food, free haircuts, free backpacks and more.

Pre-registered families can get backpacks from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Kids who haven’t pre-registered for backpacks are still able to get one on a first-come basis, from 1-3 p.m.

“Many of our kids need more than crayons and calculators,” Kim Skornogiski, United Way of Cascade County’s marketing director, said in a release. “We know that if students don’t have shampoo to wash their hair, or have a toothache from not brushing their teeth, they can’t focus as well in the classroom.”

Business Bites: Wingstop planned; data center meeting; Love Your Library; Pit Stop and Maria’s closing; Haunted Scoops opening; A Diamond in the Ruff’s new location; United Way campaign, grants; Rec Center events and more

Many lessons involve computers and other technology, making inexpensive earbuds or headphones as important as notebooks and pencils, she said.

“Each year, the community amazes us with their generosity. As a result, we are able to help more and more kids,” Skornogoski said.

Last year, community members donated more than 18,000 items.

Top needs this year are backpacks, composition notebooks, earbuds and dry-erase markers.

Donate online here or by mail at P.O. Box 1343, Great Falls, MT 59403. Sponsoring a student is $50.

Here’s a list of needed supplies, from United Way of Cascade County:

• notebooks
• 3-ring binders
• dry erase markers
• highlighters
• pencils
• crayons
• calculators
• scissors
• glue sticks
• backpacks
• inexpensive head phones/ear buds
• composition notebooks
• lunch boxes
• books (new or gently used)
• 2-pocket folders
• toilet paper
• tissue paper
• paper towels
• non-perishable food
• toothpaste
• toothbrushes
• shampoo
• conditioner
• laundry detergent
• dryer sheets
• diapers
• combs
• new children’s clothing (socks, shoes, underwear, shirts, pants)
• liquid soap
• hand sanitizer