Nothing says first day of school like a new backpack loaded with fresh crayons and a fully-loaded pencil box, but those upfront expenses are a burden some financially-strapped families aren’t able to bear.

Kingfisher Community Collaborative has started its annual school supply drive to make sure every county child is able to start school with every item local schools request.

At $50 to $75 per child, donations are sought to make that goal possible, organizers say.

Individuals, churches, businesses and organizations may help in one of two ways:

•Donating any amount via check made out to Kingfisher Community Collaborative, with “school supply drive” in the memo line, and mailed to KCC, P.O. Box 1192, Kingfisher.

•Agreeing to supply a certain number of children by purchasing and filling backpacks with required items and delivering them to the Kingfisher First Baptist Church Connextion on Aug. 5.

Churches groups, businesses or individuals interested in sponsoring a certain number of children are asked to contact Brittney Hladik, KCC co-chairperson, for supply lists.

Families who need help with school supplies can fill out applications at the county Department of Human Services office between now and July 29.

Last year, nearly 200 county students were supplied with filled backpacks.