Not even the COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to the Schuylkill United Way’s Stuff the Bus effort in the county this year.

On Monday, 30 volunteers were at the Pottsville Salvation Army building filling backpacks with school supplies to give to students in need. Students receiving services through the partner agencies with the organization receive the backpacks.

Kelly Malone, director of the Schuylkill United Way, said 1,650 backpacks were filled with items such as paper, pencils, erasers and other essentials. The goal was 1,600.

The Tamaqua Salvation Army received 200 backpacks to give to students.

“We didn’t even think about canceling Stuff the Bus. We were going to make it work,” Malone said.

Students not receiving services through the agencies may request a backpack. In Tamaqua, call Salvation Army at 570-668-0410. Elsewhere call the Pottsville Salvation Army at 570-622-5252.

School districts and other educational facilities are also donating backpacks to children in need. A number of backpacks wasn’t provided.

“The learning is going to happen and the supplies need to be there for them,” Envoy Brad Harris of the Pottsville Salvation Army said.

Distribution of the backpacks started Monday. While the pandemic did result in fewer locations, 35 instead of the 50 from 2019, more donations were collected this year, Malone said. In its 18th year, donations were accepted July 1 to July 31.

“I believe people are looking for good things to attach themselves to. Even though COVID is here and changed a lot, it has not changed the need for school supplies,” Malone said.

Malone is appreciative of all who donated. She said Walmart and customers at Staples were especially generous.

Harris said the distribution provides “a sense of normalcy (for students) in this crazy year we are having.”