Sure, it’s only mid-July, but most of us with children have already been preparing for the new school year. We are buying backpacks, clothes, school supplies, sneakers, and so much more.

Unfortunately, not everyone can afford all the costs that come with a new school year. But as a community, we have the power to ensure each and every student goes back to school with the items they need to succeed.

According to CommunitySolidarity.org, the average American family spent nearly $600 per child on back-to-school supplies last year. This costly burden is just too much for families who are already struggling to pay the rent or put food on the table. Currently, it’s estimated that it will cost Long Island families over $1,017 and $1,668 per elementary-school student and high-school student, respectively.

How can you help?

The easiest way to help is to sign up to donate school supplies.

Another good way is to organize your own school supply drive. This can mean setting up a school supply drive in your office or asking people in your community to help.

Sign up to volunteer at a local drive.

Share local drives on social media.

Donate money to a local school supply fundraiser.

What is needed? Paper: lined paper, copy paper, construction paper, spiral notebooks, composition books, index cards. Pencils and pens: blue or black pens, No. 2 pencils, colored pencils, erasers, pencil sharpener, pencil case, colored markers, crayons, highlighters, dry-erase markers. General supplies: dry-erase boards, paper clips, three-ring, 2-inch binders, pocket folders, report covers. Classroom staples: stapler, staples, rulers, protractors, glue sticks, scissors, tape, calculator. Others: backpacks, lunch bags, tissues, sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizer.

Too busy? Our office located at 20 Medford Avenue will serve as a drop-off point for school supplies and backpacks. If you’d like to make a donation, we will ensure every item dropped off throughout the summer reaches a local fundraiser, including the Bellport Boys & Girls Club, the Mastic King’s Kids Christian Outreach, Lighthouse Mission, and Angels of Long Island. Simply drop off during business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and ask the items to be left for executive editor Nicole Fuentes.