Communities In Schools

Communities In Schools of North Carolina Network Joins Walmart
in Largest Walmart Back-to-School Supply Drive in NC’s History

Communities In Schools of Rutherford County, part of the leading dropout prevention network in North Carolina dedicated to empowering students to stay in school and achieve in life, is proud to announce participation in a statewide partnership with Walmart to collect school supplies for economically-disadvantaged students in North Carolina.

Now in its second year, the 2012 “Build A Backpack” back-to-school supply drive is the largest school supply drive ever conducted by Walmart in North Carolina, involving all 139 local Walmart stores across the state.  CISNC has identified 79 counties that will benefit from the “Build A Backpack” program.  To expand its reach across the state, CISNC has also partnered with other trusted nonprofits.  These partner agencies are assisting CISNC in counties where there are Walmart stores but not a local CISNC affiliate.  

The campaign, which will launch July 23, 2012, and run until August 31, 2012, will have bins available in all Walmart stores to collect donated school supply items. The items will be distributed to local Communities In Schools affiliates or other designated partners, and will then be distributed to low-income public school students.  Individuals can also participate in this drive from the comfort of home by donating online http://www.RutherfordCIS.org Money collected will be distributed to the CIS affiliate or partner organization in each county to purchase needed school supplies. 

Brenda Watson, Program Committee Chair noted, “We have long enjoyed the support of our Walmart Store in Forest City. For years it was the only location that invited us to have our big yellow school bus parked out front during our “Stuff the Bus with School Tools” drive. Last year was the first time for their Build-a-Backpack campaign. With this partnership, 65% of everything we collected came from Walmart in Forest City, so we are thrilled to have them back as a partner this year. Their help along with Ingles, Staples, Food Lion, Mountain 1st Bank, Carolina Health Systems local offices along with many other civic and faith groups enabled us to donate 9,989 pieces of schools supplies to 21 public schools.” 

“We could not be more thrilled with the success of the ‘Build a Backpack’ supply drive last year,” said Ronny Hayes, Regional Vice President of Walmart and CISNC Board Member.  “It is our hope that the success of this campaign piloted here in North Carolina, with the invaluable help of Communities In Schools, will ensure that the neediest students be the recipients of the collected items and continue to serve as a model across the country and amount to even greater accomplishments this coming summer.”

Signage promoting “Build A Backpack” will appear throughout all Walmart stores in North Carolina.

“With a presence in 44 counties across North Carolina, Communities In Schools touches North Carolina’s neediest children,” said Linda Harrill, President and CEO of CISNC.  “In fact, 97 percent of the students that CIS serves are economically disadvantaged.  We thank Walmart for its commitment to serve those most in need by launching such a massive and promising school supply campaign.  A small investment today in ‘Build A Backpack’ will pay a big dividend in the lives of students who need the essential tools that support their success in school.”

CISNC will also work in partnership with other organizations in North Carolina to distribute supplies in select communities.   

“The need in our area is greater than ever before. We hope you will either shop and donate through Walmart and Build-a-Backpack or will visit the big yellow bus as it travels to a parking lot near you. The CIS Rutherford County Board and our volunteers will man the “Stuff the Bus with School Tools” as it visits various parking lot. We appreciate your help for this fun time in the sun. Look for us during the end of July and early August,” encouraged Karen Moore, Vice Chair of Communities In Schools of Rutherford County.  If your business wants to support and work with us to see students have what they need for the coming year contact us at execdir@RutherfordCIS.org or by phone at 828-288-0228. Walmart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at 9,029 retail units under 60 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2011 sales of $419 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com.