Most kids probably don’t want to think about it, but that first day of school is creeping closer, and purchasing the necessary school supplies can be a  major financial burden for some families.

To help those families in Ellis County, First Call for Help (FCFH) has partnered with Nex-Tech and Nex-Tech Wireless to provide “Backpacks for Kids.”

About 650 local students and their families will be helped this year.

Donations of various school supplies were collected Friday at Wal-Mart, the Hays Mall, Dollar General and Walgreens.

School items are still being collected this week and can be dropped off at any Hays Nex-Tech location.

The biggest needs, according to FCFH, are new backpacks, reams of computer paper, composition notebooks and three-ring binders, although anything on a school’s supplies list is appreciated.

Personal hygiene items such as deodorant, shampoo and toothpaste are also welcomed, as are cash donations.

Students and their families will pick up the ”Backpacks for Kids” August 1 at the Hadley Center.