STAUNTON, Va --- Since Stuff the Bus, the Salvation Army has been taking applications from families that need school supplies. Friday was the last day those families could pick up their book bags full of donations.

The only requirement to receive supplies was being on the free lunch program.

As of Friday morning, the Staunton Salvation Army had given 324 book bags out. The supplies in the bags will help over 500 family members. That is more than double the number helped last year.

The Salvation Army still had a lot of school supplies left over and those supplies will be donated to schools in the city. Workers at the Salvation Army are happy to help.

“We're very excited that we've been able to do so much better than we were able to do last year,” said Mary Kay Hearne with the Salvation Army. “When you start working in collaboration with groups, the more you can collaborate and work together, the better off we are able to serve the community.”

The Salvation Army will accept applications for Christmas assistance in early October.

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