By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Getting kids prepared to go back to school can be expensive.

To help allay some of those costs, the Ellis County First Call For Help “Backpacks For Kids” program provides new backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies and personal hygiene items to low-income families in Hays.

Nex-Tech and Nex-Tech Wireless are in three locations today until four p.m. collecting donations of school supplies as well as cash from the public at Walgreens, Dollar General and Walmart.

“It’s a lot more expensive than it used to be,” said Nex-Tech Wireless Compliance Manager Cindy King Friday morning at Walgreens. “My kids were several years apart, so I didn’t have to spend so much money all at once.”

King and Mara Mattheyer, Nex-Tech Wireless product technician, were greeting customers as they approached the Hays USD 489 school bus parked near the store entrance, handing out lists of needed school supplies and accepting donations of purchases just made in Walgreens.

Hays resident Jim Strine made a special stop to donate cash.

“I just heard about this on the radio,” he said as he handed over his donation to Mattheyer.

This year there are needs for at least 650 backpacks, according to First Call For Help. The distribution is Thu., Aug. 4, in the Hadley Center.

School starts Wed., Aug. 17.

For a list of needed items click here.