General community helps school kids in need through Stuff the Bus program

PITTSTON — Lt. Gavin Yeatts and his wife Lt. Holly Yeatts took over command of the West Pittston Salvation Army in 2018 and are so grateful for the people of Greater Pittston.

The duo set up a tent and a bus was provided by Yatesville Bus Co. at the Pittston Walmart on Aug. 3 as part of a nationwide Salvation Army program known as Stuff the Bus.

The couple provided Walmart shoppers a supplies list, including pencils, calculators, composition books, crayons, glue, lined paper, tape, binders, book bag backpacks and more.

“The Salvation Army collaborated with Walmart stores across the country to do a Stuff the Bus program to collect supplies for children in need,” Lt. Gavin said. “The supplies stay in this community for both Pittston Area and Wyoming Area school districts.”

According to Lt. Gavin, 30 million parents will have to make a decision between buying school supplies or paying their utility bills or other expenses to keep their households operating.

Kyle Mortimer, of Pittston, contributed to the drive while shopping at Walmart.

“It doesn’t hurt to help out,” Mortimer said. “I grabbed some notebooks just because that’s one thing I know they never provided me while I was in school.”

Because of local generosity, the West Pittston Salvation Army collected hundreds of dollars of supplies, including 46 backpacks. With additional money collected during the drive, 40 more backpacks will be purchased.

Shane Evans, of Pittston, was another shopper contributing towards the drive.

“Everyone needs a hand sometimes,” Evans said. “Everything else was too easy to buy like pencils and notebooks so I picked up a book bag.”

“We love this community and special thanks to Walmart, Yatesville Bus Co., Duryea Mayor Keith Moss for helping secure the bus and Pittston Cartridge World,” Lt. Gavin said. “And, of course, the people of Greater Pittston.”

Supplies will be distributed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Salvation Army building, 214 Luzerne Ave., West Pittston.

Participants will need a photo ID and identification for all children registered for supplies, such as a birth certificate, Social Security card and/or a custody letter. Proof of residency is also required.

Husband and wife team Gavin and Holly Yeatts, lieutenants with the Salvation Army, collected back-to-school items during the Stuff the Bus program. Items will be distributed to children in the Pittston Area and Wyoming Area school districts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Salvation Army building, 214 Luzerne Ave., West Pittston.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_Stuff1.jpgHusband and wife team Gavin and Holly Yeatts, lieutenants with the Salvation Army, collected back-to-school items during the Stuff the Bus program. Items will be distributed to children in the Pittston Area and Wyoming Area school districts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Salvation Army building, 214 Luzerne Ave., West Pittston. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Avery Barrett, 5, along with her mom Lindsey Stella, of Pittston, right, hand school supplies to Salvation Army volunteer Jennifer Masulis, of Pittston, during the Salvation Army’s Stuff the Bus school supply collection at Walmart Aug. 3.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_Stuff2.jpgAvery Barrett, 5, along with her mom Lindsey Stella, of Pittston, right, hand school supplies to Salvation Army volunteer Jennifer Masulis, of Pittston, during the Salvation Army’s Stuff the Bus school supply collection at Walmart Aug. 3. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Angela Suchecki, of Old Forge, hands school supplies to West Pittston Salvation Army Lts. Gavin and Holly Yeatts.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_Stuff3.jpgAngela Suchecki, of Old Forge, hands school supplies to West Pittston Salvation Army Lts. Gavin and Holly Yeatts. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Shane Evans, of Pittston, donates a new backpack he purchased at Walmart for the Salvation Army’s Stuff the Bus program. Accepting the bag is Lt. Gavin Yeatts.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_Stuff4.jpgShane Evans, of Pittston, donates a new backpack he purchased at Walmart for the Salvation Army’s Stuff the Bus program. Accepting the bag is Lt. Gavin Yeatts. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Hundreds of dollars of school supplies, including 46 backpacks, were collected during the Stuff the Bus program at Pittston Walmart with the West Pittston Salvation Army on Aug. 3.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_Stuff5.jpgHundreds of dollars of school supplies, including 46 backpacks, were collected during the Stuff the Bus program at Pittston Walmart with the West Pittston Salvation Army on Aug. 3. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch