By Hannah Sharpe

Staff Writer

Does the sight of school supplies make you nostalgic for days gone by?

Or do those store displays remind you that summer has flown by and a new school year is just around the corner?

Either way, Communities in Schools of Moore County (CIS) hopes local shoppers will think to purchase a few items for needy students as they take advantage of tax-free shopping this weekend.

Buses will be parked in front of Walmart and Staples in Southern Pines Aug. 3 through 5, with volunteers waiting to load them up with school supplies.

The effort is part of the Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive led by CIS. Last year, the organization collected more than $14,300 in school supplies that were distributed to 23 Moore County schools.

The most desired items are pencils, notebook paper, back packs and folders to keep assignments organized.

Additional supplies requested include: glue sticks, spiral notebooks, 1-inch binders, hand sanitizer, plastic bags in various sizes, disinfectant wipes, colored pencils, scissors, tissues and flat erasers.

Monetary donations will be used to supplement student activities throughout the year and purchase additional -supplies.

All donations are tax-deductible.

Volunteers will distribute the items to all schools in the Moore County school system. Students receive the supplies by asking school guidance counselors for them.

The event is running in conjunction with the "Build a Back Pack" supply drive, which kicked off at Walmart July 23.

For the second year in a row, the -retailer is urging shoppers to purchase additional items and fill back packs with school supplies in a partnership with Communities in Schools of North Carolina.

Bins for "Build a Back Pack" are -located at the front of the store.

Communities in Schools is a local organization that brings volunteers into schools to address the unmet needs of students, providing a link between -educators and the community.

For more information about -participating in or volunteering for Stuff the Bus and other CIS activities, visit -www.cismoore.org or call (910) 295-1072.