With fall approaching, the nonprofit Community Partners for Children is collecting supplies so needy kids have a chance to do well at school. Each fall, thousands of Alexandria children face the prospect of starting school without adequate supplies.

 The 18th Annual Community Partners for Children Back to School Drive will collect new backpacks for all age groups, black and white composition books, spiral notebooks, wide rule notebook paper, pens, pencils, crayons, erasers, pocket folders, pencil pouches, scissors, rulers and other supplies.

 The Alexandria DASH Bus System is offering a free ride on Thursday, August 27, to those who board a DASH bus with new, unopened school supplies and drop them in the special collection bag. School supply donations are also accepted at the Old Town Transit Shop from now through September 3. This is the third year that DASH has partnered with Community Partners for Children in a Ride Free Day for school supplies.

 This year the Community Partners for Children Back-to-School Drive will end on September 3.

  “This back-to-school drive allows us to do something for kids who, through no fault of their own, are facing difficult circumstances,” said Pat Miller, president of Community Partners for Children. “I urge everyone to gather up some school supplies that they would like to donate, and drop them off at our participating sponsors.

How to Help

 Donate new backpacks, black and white composition books, spiral notebooks, wide rule notebook paper, pens, pencils, crayons, highlighters, erasers, pocket folders, pencil pouches, scissors, rulers, and other supplies to a drop-off box at one of various locations in Alexandria:

  Donate with your tax deductible check to support Community Partners for Children’s Back-to-School drive. Send your check to Community Partners for Children, P.O. Box 2738, Alexandria, VA 22301.

 Volunteer to help sort supplies on Friday, September 4, at Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Avenue. To volunteer, call Pat Miller at 703-683-2570.

Drop Off Locations

 A Show of Hands, 2204 Mt. Vernon Avenue

 Alexandria City Hall, Mayor’s Office, 2nd Floor, 301 King Street

 Alexandria Public Library All Branches:

 Beatley-5005 Duke Street

 Barrett-717 Queen Street

 Burke-4701 Seminary Road

 Duncan-2501 Commonwealth Avenue

 Volunteer Alexandria/Red Cross Building, 123 North Alfred Street

 Burke&Herbert Banks:

 100 South Fairfax Street

 1705 Fern Street

 621 King Street

 306 E. Monroe Avenue

 Chinquapin Recreation Center, 3210 King Street

 Chrysalis Chiropractic, 3140 Commonwealth Avenue

 Curves Del Ray, 2609 Mount Vernon Avenue

 Curves Foxchase, 4613B Duke Street

 Dairy Godmother, 2310 Mount Vernon Avenue

 Fit One Studio, 814 North St. Asaph

 Karing by Kristina, 2006 Mt. Vernon Avenue

 Long & Foster Realtors, 5845 Richmond Highway

 McEnearney Associates Realtors, 109 South Pitt Street

 Old Town Transit Shop, 1775 C Duke Street

 St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, 2300 Mount Vernon Avenue

 Today’s Cargo, 1102 King Street

 Video Vault, 113 South Columbus

 Virginia Commerce Bank, 2401 Mount Vernon Avenue

 Yates Automotive Service Station, 317 E. Braddock Road

 Yoga in Daily Life, 2402 Mount Vernon Avenue