FARMINGTON — The Franklin County Children’s Task Force is holding a back-to-school drive from August 1 to 23.

Each year, the task force receives calls from parents who are struggling to provide needed back-to-school items, such as school supplies and clothing for their children.

“Last year, about 20 families needed help with clothing or backpacks, and we had no way to help,” Renee Blanchet, the task force’s executive director, said.

The task force is now collecting new school supplies, backpacks and new or gently used clothing items.

The Children’s Task Force is working with the United Way and Rotary Club to collect backpacks, but clothing — particularly for the middle school children up to grade eight — is needed, she said. 

“We are constantly turning away parents who have children in the middle school range because we don’t have the space to house clothing for them,” she said in a news release.

This year, they are making room to collect and sort school clothes and other items by size and sex, she said. Parents who call for help can then go to the office on Church Street and choose items to help their children return to school.

Everyone thinks of babies, she said. The Children’s Task Force collects clothing up to size 5T year-round, but this is a new venture.

New or gently used, clean clothing is being collected. Items can be left on the porch at the task force office if it is after hours to help ensure children can go to school with clothes that are new to them.

“We’re seeing many families who don’t have the money to purchase a new wardrobe for their children,” she said.

Although items are needed prior to school opening, the Children’s Task Force hopes to continue the program year round, she said.

For more information, call 778-6960 or stop by the office at 113 Church St.

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