Believe it or not, it’s time to start thinking about back-to-school supplies, and the United Way of the Lowcountry wants to help remove that burden for local families in need.

United Way of the Lowcountry is collecting school supplies and donations as part of Operation Backpack, an initiative of United Way of the Lowcountry Women United that provides local students in need with backpacks full of school supplies and uniform shirts to start school.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; &nbsp;</span>

Women United works with school social workers to identify students in need who are not served by another agency to help fill the gap. Operation Backpack provided school supplies and uniform shirts to more than 600 students last school year throughout Beaufort and Jasper counties. This year, the program is expanding to help nearly 1,000 local students. <span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>WANT TO HELP?</b></p>
Women United is collecting the following school supplies, as well as monetary donations and Walmart gift cards. School supplies can be dropped off at United Way of the Lowcountry offices in Beaufort and Bluffton as well as various locations listed below throughout the Lowcountry.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>The list of school supplies needed includes:
<ul>
 	<li>Pocket Folders (2 pockets)</li>
 	<li>Crayola Washable Markers</li>
 	<li>#2 Pencils (box of 12 count)</li>
 	<li>Ruler (12 inch, clear if possible)</li>
 	<li>Glue Sticks</li>
 	<li>Composition Notebooks (marble)</li>
 	<li>Index cards</li>
 	<li>Highlighter (Yellow)</li>
 	<li>Hand Sanitizer<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></li>
 	<li>Box of Facial Tissue</li>
 	<li>Crayons (24 count)</li>
 	<li>Filler Paper</li>
 	<li>Zipper-Seal Quart and Gallon Bags</li>
 	<li>Wet Wipes</li>
 	<li>Roll of Paper Towels<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></li>
 	<li>Gift Cards (Walmart)</li>
</ul>
Monetary donations and gift cards will be used to purchase size-specific school uniform shirts and additional school supplies.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>Monetary donations can be made online at www.uwlowcountry.org or by texting BACKPACK2018 to 71777. Checks should be made out to United Way of the Lowcountry with "Operation Backpack" in the memo.

Gift cards and checks should be mailed to:
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">United Way of the Lowcountry <span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;
</span>P.O. Box 202<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;
</span>Beaufort, SC<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>29901</p>
Donation boxes have been placed at various locations throughout the Lowcountry including: <span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Beaufort</b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>One Blood </i>- 1001 Boundary Street, Suite A</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>United Way of the Lowcountry Office</i> - 1277 Ribaut Road</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Bluffton</b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>United Way of the Lowcountry Office</i> - 10 Buckingham Plantation Dr. Suite D</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>Synovus Bank </i>- 3 Belfair Village Drive</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Hilton Head Island<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>Synovus Bank </i>- 210 Central Avenue</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Lady's Island</b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>CBC National Bank </i>- 36 Sea Island<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Parkway</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Okatie</b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>Beaufort Jasper Water &amp; Sewer<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></i></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>Authority</i> - 6 Snake Road</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Port Royal</b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>CBC National Bank</i> - 1700 Ribaut Road</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>Merry Maids </i>- 860 Parris Island Gateway (BiLo Shopping Center)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>YMCA </i>- 1801 Richmond Avenue</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Jasper County</b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>Kim Malphrus Realty</i> - 2789 N Okatie Highway (Ridgeland)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>South State Bank</i> -10671 S Jacob Smart Blvd (Ridgeland)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>South State Bank </i>- 21979 Whyte Hardee Blvd (Hardeeville)</p>
For more information visit www.uwlowcountry.org or call 843-982-3040. <span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>