As schools and parents gear up for the start of school Tuesday, Sept. 2, so are the organizations that aim to help students.

Soroptimist International of Coupeville is currently holding a school supply drive for Coupeville’s Readiness to Learn program.

This is the first time in a couple years the club has held a supply drive, said member Shelli Trumbull.

There are roughly 80-90 Coupeville students who need assistance through the program.

“Obviously there’s a need, and we just wanted to do something locally to help kids,” Trumbull said.

Donations can be delivered to Cascade Insurance on South Main Street.

The club is looking for items including composition books, spiral notebooks, scientific calculators, red pens, green pens, pencil sharpeners and highlighters.

They have also set up an online donation program at www.gofundme.com/c1uuj8

The club has gotten the support from other members of the community.

On Friday, Aug. 15 and Saturday, Aug. 16, Ken Hofkamp, the owner of Prairie Center Red Apple, will be assisting in collecting donations for the program by offering customers a chance to donate through an electronic system.

“We really, really appreciate all he’s doing,” Trumbull said.

Hofkamp also donated 70 backpacks, which will be printed with a wolf decal by Blue Fox Drive-in.

The club plans on selling the bags for $10 each to support Readiness to Learn next year.

“Ken has gone above and beyond,” Trumbull said. “It’s huge; it really is.”

While Soroptimist is working on collecting school supplies, Gifts From the Heart food bank is preparing for another school year supporting the Meals to Kids program.

The food bank supplies bags of food each week for students in need. The food is to help through the weekends.

Food bank president Molly Hughes said last school year the program supported 42 students and more may sign up with the start of the school year.

It costs the food bank $5 per week, per child for the program.

Food supplies includes two breakfasts, two lunches, two snacks and two pieces of fruit.

Hughes said the food bank is always accepting donations for the program.

Items requested for the program include single serving fruit cups, applesauce, oatmeal, canned entrees like ravioli or stew and snack items like granola bars.

There is a team of shoppers for the food bank that stay on top of sales and have created relationships with local grocery stores, Hughes said.

Monetary donations are greatly appreciated.

In fact, Hughes said, someone could sponsor one child for the entire school year for $185.

Checks should be made out to Gifts from the Heart and can be sent to PO Box 155, Coupeville, WA 98239.