The Opportunity Council is working to ensure all students start the new school year well-prepared, regardless of family income.

The council is hosting its annual Backpack Supply Drive, collecting school supplies and backpacks for children who are homeless or whose families are very low-income.

Members of the North Whidbey Lions Club will be collecting donations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., July 25 in front of the Oak Harbor WalMart.

Contributions are accepted all summer, and can be mailed to the Opportunity Council, P.O. Box 922, Oak Harbor, Wash. 98277.

“The School Backpack Drive helps all students in our schools be prepared to do their best,” said Lisa Clark, Island County Opportunity Council director, according to a news release.

Backpacks will be given to low-income elementary and high school students. Financial donations are used to purchase additional high-demand items such as backpacks, and help to pay for school fees, transportation costs, extracurricular activities and other kinds of educational support for homeless families with school-aged children, according to the release.

The Opportunity Council is a private, nonprofit Community Action Agency serving low-income community members in Whatcom, Island and San Juan counties.

For information, visit oppco.org