From backpacks to binders to No. 2 pencils, paying for school supplies is a heavy burden for many families in these financially stressed times.

To meet the need, Salvation Army units across the Southern Territory partnered with their local Walmart stores the weekend of Aug. 7-9 for back-to-school “Stuff the Bus” campaigns. The corps posted to their social media pages checklists of needed school supplies, and the stores set out bins and barrels to encourage shoppers to donate.

“Back to school may look a bit different this year, but the need in our community is greater than ever!” the Johnson City, Tennessee, Corps said on its Facebook page. “Our goal is to help financially impacted families receive the supplies they desperately need for their children of all ages.”

Major Mark Smith, area commander in Chattanooga, Tennessee, said on Facebook, “Please go to Walmart today and drop off school supplies. You will help many children have what they need for this school year.”

Captains James and Rebecca Sullivan, corps officers in Albany, Georgia, posted words of gratitude to Facebook: “Thank you Wal-Mart in Sylvester, Georgia, for a wonderful time and allowing us to collect school supplies for our community.”

Photo Captions (Clockwise from top left):

Johnson City, Tennessee: Anna Anderson, Market Street Walmart — Tucker, Georgia: Captain Amy Argot and Walmart store manager — Albany, Georgia: Captains James and Rebecca Sullivan — Metro Atlanta Area Command: ‘Stuff the Bus’ supplies — Knoxville, Tennessee: ‘Stuff the Bus’ promotional display — Chattanooga, Tennessee: Major Mark Smith — Chattanooga, Tennessee: Major John Edmonds — Morgantown, West Virginia: Collection point at University Town Walmart