Wadesboro’s ‘Stuff the Bus’ is a huge success

All day Friday, Wadesboro Walmart shoppers helped “stuff the bus” to make the annual school supply drive for Faith-Based Center of Hope a rousing success.

Vancine Sturdivant, a county commissioner and founder of the charitable organization, and a team of volunteers stationed themselves at both entrances to the store, asking for both monetary donations and school supplies. Outside, an Anson County Schools bus waited to be filled with the school supplies.

“All of the proceeds and supplies stay in Anson County,” Sturdivant said, adding that the “Stuff the Bus” event coincides with the Faith-Based Center of Hope’s annual Back to School with Pride event, planned for 11 a.m. on Saturday at Hatcher Park in Lilesville.

In addition to random shoppers who decided to purchase school supplies for needy kids or gave money to the cause, a group from Gatewood Village apartments for the elderly in Wingate also held their own school supply drive. Johnny Jackson, apartment manager, and resident Evangeline Rippie drove the supplies to the Walmart on Friday morning.

“I wanted to come,” Rippie said. “I love it. It’s a wonderful thing.”

Sturdivant’s “Stuff the Bus” event also drew attention from Woodforest Bank, which is located inside the Wadesboro Walmart. Sturdivant said she came by the bank a few weeks ago and asked the staff to let her know if they knew of any kids who needed the school supplies. Not only did the staff provide names of children, they held their own school supply drive and donated a large box to Sturdivant on Friday.

“We just wanted to give back,” said banker Mishele Davis.

Assistant branch manager Erika Hamilton added, “I’m new to Anson and I’ve got a fifth-grader, so I know how important things like this are.”

Sturdivant added that many of the children she knows are “privileged,” and it’s her goal to expose them to other ways of life.

“They don’t know what it’s like to go without,” she said, so she has them volunteer at her events and see the underprivileged up close and personal.

Sturdivant said she first started Faith-Based Center of Hope to help fulfill a promise she made to God. “I told God if he ever blessed me, I would then bless others,” she said.

A large number turned out on Friday morning to help collect school supplies and donations for “Stuff the Bus.” From left, William Sturdivant, Commissioners Ross Streater and Vancine Sturdivant, school board member Beulah Pratt, magistrate Weaver Thomas, Walmart employee Brandon Melton, Lilesville Councilwoman Dr. Bernice Bennett, volunteer Tammy Timmons, Danny Pearson of Pearson’s Trucking Service and the Anson County Republican Party, Priscilla Little of Anson County Department of Social Services, Wanda Talbert, representing Harris Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church and the Grace Senior Center, and Wadesboro Police Sgt. Ronnie Gainey and Chief Thedis Spencer.

https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_Stuff-The-Bus-1.jpgA large number turned out on Friday morning to help collect school supplies and donations for “Stuff the Bus.” From left, William Sturdivant, Commissioners Ross Streater and Vancine Sturdivant, school board member Beulah Pratt, magistrate Weaver Thomas, Walmart employee Brandon Melton, Lilesville Councilwoman Dr. Bernice Bennett, volunteer Tammy Timmons, Danny Pearson of Pearson’s Trucking Service and the Anson County Republican Party, Priscilla Little of Anson County Department of Social Services, Wanda Talbert, representing Harris Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church and the Grace Senior Center, and Wadesboro Police Sgt. Ronnie Gainey and Chief Thedis Spencer. Abby Cavenaugh | Anson Record

While volunteers and donors were posing for a photo for the “Stuff the Bus” event, Anson County employee Ben Kane, far right, stopped by to drop off donated school supplies. From left, Vancine Sturdivant, founder of the Faith-Based Center of Hope, Evangeline Rippie of Wingate, Johnny Jackson, apartment manager for Gatewood Village in Wingate, Javis Garris, Melinda Allen, Kaila Driggers and Sharife Isaac.

https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_Stuff-The-Bus-2.jpgWhile volunteers and donors were posing for a photo for the “Stuff the Bus” event, Anson County employee Ben Kane, far right, stopped by to drop off donated school supplies. From left, Vancine Sturdivant, founder of the Faith-Based Center of Hope, Evangeline Rippie of Wingate, Johnny Jackson, apartment manager for Gatewood Village in Wingate, Javis Garris, Melinda Allen, Kaila Driggers and Sharife Isaac. Abby Cavenaugh | Anson Record

Employees of Woodforest National Bank also supported the “Stuff the Bus” event Friday. From left, Mishele Davis, Erika Hamilton, Johnny Jackson, Vancine Sturdivant, Marina Adams and Latina Taylor.

https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_Stuff-The-Bus-3.jpgEmployees of Woodforest National Bank also supported the “Stuff the Bus” event Friday. From left, Mishele Davis, Erika Hamilton, Johnny Jackson, Vancine Sturdivant, Marina Adams and Latina Taylor. Abby Cavenaugh | Anson Record