The Community Action Council of Howard County, in partnership with the county school system and other community organizations, will be collecting school supplies to be donated to students in need through the Prepare for Success program.

The program provides backpacks and supplies to elementary, middle and high school students at the beginning of each school year through monetary and material donations.

Last year, a record 2,670 backpacks were assembled and distributed to schools throughout the county, according to a news release from the school system. The number of students eligible for the program is expected to increase by more than 500 for the upcoming school year, according to school officials.

Donors will be able to drop off pencils, paper, scissors, rulers, crayons, notebooks, and other school supplies from July 20 through August 28 at collection boxes throughout the county, including the Columbia village centers, all Howard County Library branches, Columbia Association gyms, the George Howard Building, and the Columbia Gateway building.

Supplies or financial donations also may be contributed online at www.kitsforkidz.org/prepareforsuccess.

Since its inception in 2000, Prepare for Success has provided more than 16,000 Howard County students with backpacks filled with school supplies. The program was founded by the Christ Church Link. It is now sponsored by the Community Action Council of Howard County, a nonprofit organization that provides programs and services to address the needs of low-income county residents.

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