Aisles filled with school supplies beckon many a grown-up who have no reason to make purchases there.

Or perhaps they do.

For the third consecutive year, a group from Bethany Baptist Church is sponsoring a backpack drive, with a goal of providing 800 students from kindergarten through the eighth grade countywide with a free backpack filled with school supplies. This is an increase from the 600 provided to elementary students last year.

“We all know it’s very expensive to get a child ready to go back to school,” said organizer Kerry Castleberry. “A lot families may be faced with a situation such as having a mother or a father who is out of work, a money is very tight and maybe they have multiple children in the home.

Organizers are looking for groups and individuals willing to make a donation. Basic school supplies like pencils, pink erasers, wide-rule paper, washable markers, crayons, glue – or the money to purchase those things – are needed. Volunteers will collect those supplies at Walmart on Sat., July 20, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The Christian Service Centers in Andalusia, Opp and Florala will issue vouchers to clients for the filled backpacks, which will be distributed at an event at the Kiwanis Center on Aug. 10.

To more information about helping, contact Castleberry at 334-504-1048.