There are several continuing or upcoming opportunities for people in the community to contribute or receive school supplies:
Jefferson City Public Schools
"Typically, our process has been to address this need at the building level. Our building principals and teachers have a good sense of which of their families could use the resources, so when we hear from an organization looking to contribute supplies, we are able to make a match with a building based on their needs," JCPS Director of Communications Ryan Burns wrote in an email.
Jefferson City Area YMCA
Local YMCAs will continue to accept the JCPS elementary school supplies listed at jcymca.org/?page_id=8144 through the end of the week, Development and Marketing Director Shelly Poire said.
Any supplies received after the end of the week will be taken directly to schools, and the YMCA will continue to receive monetary donations, Poire said.
Samaritan Center, 1310 E McCarty St.
The Samaritan Center announced last week it had begun to distribute school supplies during pantry hours, which are 9:30-11 a.m. Monday through Thursday and 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday.
People who pick up school supplies at the center must be clients. Sign-up during pantry hours can be done with a photo ID and Social Security card.
Local McDonald's restaurants have partnered with the Samaritan Center in a school supply drive. People who drop off school supplies at one of three McDonald's restaurants in Jefferson City will receive a free small coffee or frozen beverage, limit one beverage per visit: 3124 S. Ten Mile Drive; 1425 Missouri Blvd.; and 815 Eastland Drive.
The supply drive runs through Friday.
Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson City, 1105 Lafayette St.
The club is hosting a "Buzzes and Backpacks" back to school event 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.
Executive Director Stephanie Johnson said there are 300 children registered, but there may be materials for a couple hundred more children. Pre-registration is not required, and the community is welcome to attend.
The event for students in kindergarten through high school will give away haircuts, backpacks, school supplies, clothes and shoes and provide food, according to a promotional flyer.
The Oasis United Church of Christ, 2013 William St.
The church is having a "Blessing of the Backpacks" during its 10 a.m. worship service Aug. 12. All students, teachers and administrators are invited to bring backpacks or book bags and join as congregants pray for them and the bags for the beginning of another school year.
There will be backpacks filled with school supplies for families who need them. Families who need help with backpacks and supplies should watch the event page at facebook.com/events/205340823473084/.