NATCHEZ — Elementary children around Natchez will have a difficult time getting out of homework this school year.

Saturday, the Natchez Junior Auxiliary chapter parked a bus — lent to them by Durham School Services — at Walmart and passed out school supply lists to shoppers, asking them to assist children in need by donating the supplies.

This is the 10th year the organization has hosted this event, called Pack the Bus, Event Chairwoman Jennifer Lambuth said.

“I can’t imagine a child going to school and knowing he or she doesn’t have everything they need for the school year,” she said. “We’re helping to give those things to children.”

The auxiliary also accepted monetary donations to go toward school supplies, Lambuth said, and they raised approximately $400 Saturday, compared to last year’s $600.

“More people actually buy supplies than give us monetary donations,” she said. “We didn’t fill up the bus, but we filled up several Rubbermaid containers with things like notebooks, crayons, folders and scissors.”

Supplies will be given to teachers at Frazier, Morgantown and McLaurin elementary schools, Lambuth said, and it will be up to the teachers to pass them out as they see fit.

“The teachers can see which students come in during the first week and don’t have the necessarily supplies,” she said.

Lambuth said this was her second year acting as chairwoman for Pack the Bus.

“I just feel like it’s something we have a big need for,” she said.

The all-female auxiliary has existed for more than 40 years, and its focus is community service.

Lambuth said when she heard about the organization, she knew she wanted to be involved.

“(The auxiliary) is a service organization that helps unfortunate kids in the area,” she said. “I wanted to be a part of something good for the community.”

In December, the auxiliary will host Angel Tree.

“We get names of unfortunate children, who probably won’t be having a very big Christmas, from Catholic charities and the Department of Human Services,” Lambuth said.

A tree decorated with angels bearing the names of local children is set up in Corcordia Bank, and people choose an angel they’ll buy presents for during the Christmas season.

“It’s a very fulfilling experience,” Lambuth said. “I’ve been very blessed in life, and now I’m helping the community.”