SCARBOROUGH — It is that time of year, school is back in session. Project GRACE is collecting backpacks and essential school supplies for kids who need them the most.

Project GRACE is gearing up to lend a helping hand to make sure children have school supplies at home as well as at school. They are asking for backpacks, pencils, pens, erasers, markers, and glue. There is a printable list on their website for each grade level starting with kindergarten through 12th-grade.

Donation boxes are located around town. Don’t feel like shopping? Those looking to sponsor a child’s backpack can make a donation on the Project GRACE website atwww.projectgracemaine.org

In order to ensure students do not go hungry, in August, Project GRACE held its school snacks food drive collecting curbside donations. They requested any nonperishable foods PB&J, granola bars, fruit cups, juice boxes, baggies, and grocery gift cards in any amount to help families get ready for back-to-school.

According to their website, Project GRACE mission is to: “improve the lives of our Scarborough neighbors by identifying both those in need and those willing to share their gifts, and coordinating the interchange in a compassionate, confidential manner. Project G.R.A.C.E. (Granting Resources and Assistance through Community Effort) is a volunteer nonprofit in Scarborough (providing) direct services, foster community initiatives, lead collaborative solutions, convene stakeholders and change agents.”

Apply online at www.projectgracemaine.org or call Project GRACE to request an application (883-5111). To receive a backpack, students must be a resident of Scarborough or attending school grades K-12 in Scarborough.

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