The Community Support Centre of Essex County is thanking the generous community for donations to its backpack and school supply drive.
This year's drive was in partnership with the Town of Lakeshore and helps local youth in need of back to school items.
Community Support Centre CEO Tracey Bailey says the donations help kids of all ages, right up to high school.
"Backpacks are packed in accordance with the school lists that are sent out and they receive lunch bags and markers, crayons and things like that in the younger grades — in the older grades they have scientific calculators and paper and duotangs and binders."
She says backpacks are already being distributed.
"The campaign is in full swing — many, many families are gearing up for back to school and purchasing the school items they need and back to school clothes and we're part of that solution. Backpacks are available currently, certainly by coming into the community support centre."
Bailey says donations are always welcome.
"We do keep backpacks on site at the Community Food Pantry year-round and also school supplies and lunch items so we do continue to collect. Our big campaign is of course aligned with back to school and then throughout the year we do continue to collect to make sure we can always meet the need."
Bailey would also like to send out a special thank you to an anonymous donor who brought in six full backpacks and three bags full of school supplies.
— with files from AM800's Rob Hindi