EFFINGHAM AREA — For many parents, getting kids ready to go back to school plays havoc with the family's finances. Those seemingly endless lists of required school supplies are often costly, not to mention paying the price of replacing clothes the children may have outgrown over the summer.

That's why the Ramblin' Rose bus, a ministry of Effingham Catholic Charities, traveled to 15 towns in a seven-county area during July and early August, delivering school supplies and clothing to more than 1,500 people.

According to Carolyn Baldwin, who manages the project, the program was assigned to provide assistance to families with limited financial means, who qualify for free or reduced lunches. The bus was also at Premier Broadcasting's WXEF 97.9 FM ("97.9XFM") in Effingham in late July for an annual Pack the Bus event.

Children in grades K-12 received needed items including back packs and other basic supplies. School clothing was available on the bus or some families chose to receive a voucher and shop for their clothing at Second Hand Rose Resale Shoppe in the Effingham Catholic Charities building on East Fayette.

Students didn't receive all the supplies they will need, but Catholic Charities was able to offer some higher-price items, such as backpacks and calculators among others, leaving parents to purchase the less expensive supplies.

Baldwin said it feels "amazing" to help people who really appreciate the assistance in getting children ready to go back to school. "People were so happy to pick up a couple of shirts and a couple of pair of pants and their basic school supplies," she said. "You feel like you've just done something really good."