Class is almost in session. The first day of school is coming up — Tuesday, Aug. 29, for most Portland Public Schools students, or the first week of September for districts including Centennial, David Douglas, and Parkrose. For some local families, it can be difficult to afford all the supplies needed to be successful.

Schoolhouse Supplies is an A+ initiative connecting kids with the items they need to learn. Since 1999, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit has been working to promote educational equity in the Portland area and has distributed over $35 million in free school supplies, benefiting hundreds of thousands of kids. It also offers no-cost supplies for classrooms through its Free Store for Teachers.

Donate

An annual school supply drive is held every August. Community members can support this year's drive — sponsored by KGW — in three ways: by donating money online, dropping off new supplies at dozens of participating businesses in the metro area, or by shopping online.

Some businesses are offering extra incentives to donate. Through Thursday, Aug. 31, you can shop at the Columbia Sportswear Employee Store after making a donation. You'll receive $20 off a purchase of $150 or more, and 10% of your total purchase will be donated to Schoolhouse Supplies.

Are you a business interested in collecting items for the KGW School Supply Drive? Sign up here.

Volunteer

Hundreds of volunteers, including kids as young as 12, help Schoolhouse Supplies achieve its goals each year. The program will match interested volunteers with various opportunities, or you can sign up to help at the KGW School Supply Drive collection event taking place Saturday, Aug. 19, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Intel Hawthorn Farm Campus in Hillsboro. Check out these other volunteer opportunities in August and beyond.