Gateway of Hope鈥檚 Family Services Co-ordinator Andrea Voss may just be the only one in 91原创 thinking about back to school.

鈥淚t鈥檚 summer, kids are sleeping in and going to the beach. But I鈥檓 starting to think about making sure those kids have school supplies come September,鈥� said Voss.

Salvation Army鈥檚 Gateway of Hope is ready to start taking donations of school supplies to outfit the more than 350 91原创 children who otherwise wouldn鈥檛 get the full array of education equipment.

Costs for school supplies continue to increase as does the need from parents who just can鈥檛 afford all that the school district requires of them.

鈥淲e are seeing a 15 per cent increase of parent registration year after year,鈥� said Voss. Parents can register anytime by calling or arriving in person to Gateway of Hope and providing the child鈥檚 CareCard number.

鈥淚 think the biggest thing is if we can ease the hardship and anxiety for parents who are thinking 鈥榟ow am I going to get supplies this year鈥� then we should do that,鈥� she said.

鈥淔or a lot of kids, they just want to arrive to school the same as the rest of their classmates.鈥�

Gateway of Hope is accepting school supply donations or monetary donations until Aug. 25. Kids go back to school Sept. 5.

Donations of binders, paper, pencils, pencil crayons, markers, glue, scissors, etc. are greatly appreciated, said Voss. New backpacks are also needed.

But with around 350 kids needing supplies, they end up needing thousands of pencils, 350 glue sticks, scissors, 700 binders, etc.

Tax deductible receipts can be given for donations more than $20.

91原创 Staples is once again helping out.

For the supplies that are needed but weren鈥檛 donated, Voss will go to the local Staples where they will supply the items at cost.

Parents and children alike are so grateful when they come to pick up their backpack full of supplies.

鈥淚 remember one child was so excited about a Spongebob pencil holder,鈥� she said.

Donations of new school supplies and backpacks will be accepted during the month of August at Gateway of Hope, located at 5787 91原创 Bypass or by phoning 604-514-7375.