A surgical apparatus may include at least one feeder belt; a plurality of staples frangibly affixed to each feeder belt, where each staple includes two ends, a first end frangibly connected to a corresponding feeder belt and a second, free end; and a handle within which at least part of at least one feeder belt is received, where that feeder belt extends along a path within that handle that is at least partially nonlinear. A method for operating a surgical apparatus, including providing a surgical stapler including an end effector, a shaft, a handle and at least one feeder belt, where staples are frangibly affixed to each feeder belt; deploying a plurality of staples from the end effector; and advancing at least one feeder belt along a nonlinear path after deploying the staples, whereby fresh staples are moved into the end effector into position for deployment.