BATON ROUGE, La. - WBRZ News 2 raised almost $73,000 worth of school supplies and stuffed a total of six buses during the 7th annual Stuff the Bus Campaign, a school supply drive to benefit children in the community on July 16 at Office Depot.

The public was encouraged to help WBRZ completely fill one East Baton Rouge Parish school bus and one Ascension Parish school bus with the necessary supplies for students. WBRZ's expectations were exceeded when a total of six buses were filled with supplies. "This community comes together every year to make sure that young people have materials they need to succeed," said Kip Holden, Baton Rouge Mayor.

The school supply drive assists parents and teachers in East Baton Rouge and Ascension Parishes who find their children and students without school supplies. "It's a tradition now. We thank all these fine folks for coming out and volunteering their time," said Tommy Martinez, Ascension Parish President.

This year's collection day was held at the Office Depot located on College Drive in Baton Rouge and the Airline Highway location in Gonzales. WBRZ's Stuff the Bus was sponsored by Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, St. Elizabeth Hospital, and ExxonMobil.