Now that summer has finally arrived in the northwest, back-to-school is probably the last thing on kids’ minds. But for thousands of local children in low-income families – including nearly 2,900 in Shoreline – the carefree summer months will soon give way to another worry: whether they will be able to keep up in school without the tools they need to succeed. For these youth, whose parents struggle every day to make ends meet, essential school supplies can be vital to ensuring they are on equal footing with their peers when classes begin.

As part of its annual “Kids Need School Supplies” drive during the summer months, Kirkland-based Hopelink is collecting school supplies to distribute to schoolchildren in low-income families to help ensure they come to school ready to learn.

Local donors – including businesses, service organizations, churches and individuals – are banding together to collect monetary donations as well as a wide range of school supplies that will be distributed to eligible families in north and east King County.

In the Shoreline School District, one-in-three students (33.2 percent) qualify for their school’s free- and reduced-cost lunch programs, which means nearly 2,900 Shoreline students will likely qualify to receive school supplies as well.

The Shoreline school supply drive is coordinated by the Back to School Consortium; a partnership that includes Hopelink, the City of Shoreline, Ronald United Methodist Church, The Works of Shoreline PTA Council, Shoreline School District, Shoreline Community Care, Center for Human Services, Turning Point, and the Dale Turner YMCA.

Supplies particularly needed this year are: lined paper – wide and college ruled, spiral notebooks, three-ring binders, composition books, folders, colored pencils, markers, glue/glue sticks, scissors, rulers, red correcting pencils, fine-tipped Sharpies, printer/copy paper, 3×5 note cards, protractors and graph paper.

For more information about making a donation of supplies or cash to purchase supplies, contact Emily DeWitt at 425-897-3710 or edewitt@hope-link.org. Donations also can be dropped off at the Hopelink Shoreline Center through Aug. 20. The center is located at 15809 Westminster Way N. and is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Shoreline families in need of school supplies must register by Aug. 15 with the Back to School Consortium or contact the Hopelink Shoreline Center for assistance. School supplies will be distributed Aug. 23 at North City Elementary.