On Saturday, the annual Pack the Bus event for needy children's school supplies kicks off with a fundraiser at the Applebee's restaurants in Christiansburg and Radford.

Residents can pay $5 for a pancake breakfast, and all the proceeds are expected to go toward local schools. The breakfasts begin at 7 a.m.

The Pack the Bus event is sponsored by radio station Q99.

Starting Monday, radio personalities will visit school buses parked at Wal-Marts around their listening area and ask residents to fill them with school supplies.

The bus will be at Fairlawn's store from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and in Christiansburg from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

On Aug. 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m, the bus stops at the Pearisburg store

School divisions then have the discretion to distribute the supplies as needed.

-- Anna L. Mallory