EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. - The goal of Catie’s Closet’s ninth-annual Fill the Bus initiative is to make sure children throughout Western Massachusetts are able to go back to school prepared with the right clothing.

Catie’s Closet said more than 10,000 children in Greater Springfield lack the resources to start the school year. 

“The Fill the Bus Initiative is a wonderful campaign where we use it to raise awareness about the importance of Catie’s Closet," said Western Mass Program Manager Jennifer Rowe. "and what we do to support children in need within their in-closet program”

Last year, Catie’s Closet opened a new Warehouse in East Longmeadow to address to a growing need for basic back to school necessities for students in the Pioneer Valley.

The nonprofit will also work with different schools to build in school closets for students to access the items.

Program Manager Jennifer Rowe said the organization has since continued to expand into more schools since.

"Now we’re happy to say we’re in 15 schools in Western Mass and we’re looking to expand that with our beautiful distribution center here in East Longmeadow," she said. "We are happy to be in this community and want to expand more. This distribution center is really designed to expand more.”

Rowe said people can donate several items including toothbrushes, jeans, uniforms and shoes new or gently worn.

She said the goal is to collect at least 80,000 items.

"It’s something that they can’t control and our goal is really to keep kids in school and let them feel exactly like they should," she said. "With their classmates and being able to be dressed appropriately so that they stay in school."

The fill the bus initiative will run through the end of September.