Eloise Thwing, executive director of Thermal Belt Outreach, is networking with Bi-lo of Columbus and the Polk County American Red Cross in conjuction with all citizens and other local churches, businesses and organizations to provide school supplies to low income families whose children attend Polk County Schools.

The following are items that are needed:

Backpacks;

Wide ruled and college ruled paper, spiral notebooks and composition books;

#2 pencils or mechanical pencils, blue and black pens;

Large and small erasers, pencil boxes and pouches;

Colored pencils, markers, crayons and highlighters;

Rulers, pencil sharpeners and index cards;

Glue sticks and safety scissors;

1, 2 and 3 (3) ring notebooks and tab dividers.

Donations may be made at the following locations:

Thermal Belt Outreach, located at 134 White Drive in Columbus, phone number: 828-894-2988; Bi-lo, located at 651 W. Mills Street in Columbus; and the American Red Cross, located at 231 Ward Street in Columbus.

The school supplies will be distributed at Stearns Gym in Columbus on Saturday, August 14 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Children must be residents of Polk County and attend school in Polk County. Children must accompany their parent/guardian when picking up their supplies. Photo ID and social security number must be provided by the parent/guardian.

Families must be low income. If you receive governmental assistance from the following low income programs, you meet eligibility: free or reduced school lunch program, foodstamps, Medicaid, WIC, Foster Care Program or children not living with parents, if you participate with a program with WCCA or Steps to Hope.