GREENFIELD — The annual United Way Backpack Drive has begun and will continue to collect new backpacks filled with school supplies for students through Aug. 19.
The event, organized by Women’s Way, an affinity group of United Way of Franklin County, concludes with a distribution of backpacks to nonprofits including The United Arc, the Community Action Family Center and youth programs, Mary Lyon Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Backpacks and supplies for students in elementary through high school are being collected throughout Franklin County and can also be brought to the United Way office at 51 Davis St.
According to a press release from the United Way of Franklin County, struggling families may have to choose between providing their children with food or school supplies. Students entering school fully equipped with materials for learning have been shown to have increased self-esteem as well as improved academic achievement, attendance and classroom participation, according to the organization.
Though backpacks filled with supplies are preferred, small donations of learning materials are accepted. All donations will be organized and distributed in Old Deerfield on Aug. 19.
To RSVP to the event, to view a list of suggested school supplies or to make a monetary donation, visit: uw-fc.org/bloomingbackpacks.