Communities In Schools of Moore County and several community organizations will band together this tax-free weekend to encourage back-to-school shoppers to give to the annual Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive.

Volunteers will be stationed at Walmart and Staples on Aug. 3, 4 and 5 to collect needed items such as paper, pencils, folders, notebooks and back packs.

These items will be donated to all 23 Moore County schools to ensure that every student returns to school prepared to learn.

This year marks the second year that the event will run in conjunction with Communities In Schools of North Carolina's Build A Back Pack campaign, which began on July 23 and will run until Aug. 31 at Walmart.

CISNC has partnered with 139 Walmart stores to provide school supplies to thousand of students across the state. Bins are located in front of the store for shoppers to donate items.

This weekend will be the climax of both events, as shoppers will likely be purchasing their own back-to-school items at this time and can simply grab an extra pair of scissors or pack of pencils to drop in the shopping carts outside of Walmart and Staples.

Volunteers will be passing out leaflets with information about CIS Moore County and a list of needed supplies. They will sort the items on the big yellow school bus located outside of Walmart before distributing to the schools. Students can access the supplies by contacting their school guidance counselor.

Miss Moore County 2012 Summer Hennings will also serve as a volunteer during tax-free weekend. Hennings' community service platform was "Students Helping Honduras," and she is currently a student at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Representatives from Moore County Schools, Southern Pines Rotary and other church and civic organization will also be volunteering.

The mission of Communities In Schools of Moore County is to empower students to learn, stay in school and prepare for life.

For more information about volunteering for Stuff the Bus or serving as a mentor for the 2012-2013 school year, contact the CIS office at (910) 295-1072.