NATCHEZ &045; It’s not unusual to see families packing Wal-Mart this time of year to buy children’s school supplies.

What was unusual about Saturday, however, is that these people weren’t buying crayons, paper and pencils for their own children.

Instead, they were bringing the supplies &045; and, in a few cases, cash donations &045; to donate to Junior Auxiliary’s Operation Back-to-School.

Natchez’s JA chapter has run Operation Back-to-School, which gives supplies to Miss-Lou schools for distribution to needy children, for several years now, chapter President Cheryl Branyan said.

&uot;We heard of another chapter who was doing the same thing and thought it was a great idea,&uot; Branyan said.

However, Saturday was the first time the chapter had held a &uot;Pack the Bus&uot; event to kick off the campaign.

From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., JA volunteers led by Operation Back-to-School Chairwoman Trish Stoll accepted donations near the front of Wal-Mart, placing them in a bright yellow school bus parked outside.

Then, just after the school year has started, &uot;we distribute the supplies to personnel at the schools,&uot; Branyan said.

Stoll, herself a first-grade teacher at Frazier Primary School, said she knows firsthand how much some children need free supplies.

&uot;From a teacher’s perspective, it’s a lifesaver,&uot; Stoll said.

The event also doubled as a chance for Wal-Mart to become more involved in the community, Manager Lionel Stepter said.

&uot;Our company has on the community in general,&uot; Stepter said. &uot;It’s up to us to be a part of this community.&uot;

Natchez’s JA chapter has conducted projects to improve the lives of local children since it was founded in 1949.

Upcoming fund-raisers include the annual Shrimp Boil in October.