Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is collecting backpacks and other new school supplies starting this Saturday. All backpacks and supplies will be distributed to MCPS students in need during the school system’s third annual Back-to-School Fair on August 28.

More than 8,000 people attended the fair last year and 4,000 bags of school supplies were given away.

Donations can be dropped off at one of four upcoming ASK MCPS/School Supply Drive events. Staff will be on hand to accept the donations and also answer questions and share information about school system programs and services. The events run from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and are held at the following locations:

 • Saturday, July 17—Walmart, 20910 Frederick Road, Germantown; in front of store.
 • Saturday, August 7—White Flint Mall, 11301 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda; first floor, center court.
 • Saturday, August 14—Westfield Wheaton Shopping Mall, 11160 Veirs Mill Road, Wheaton; second floor by Target.
 • Saturday, August 14—Westfield Montgomery Shopping Mall, 7101 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda; first floor, center court.

Donations may also be dropped off Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the MCPS Department of Family and Community Partnerships, Room 50, Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville.

Items most needed include backpacks, pencils, pens, highlighters, pencil boxes, pencil pouches, rulers, large pink erasers, 3-ring binders, dividers, filler paper, pocket folders, and notebooks. Backpacks will be filled throughout the summer by student volunteers earning student service learning hours in partnership with InterFaith Works. 

For more information, contact the MCPS Department of Family and Community Partnerships at 301-279-3100, or visit montgomeryschoolsmd.org and click on the Back-to-School Fair badge.

This year’s Back-to-School Fair will be held Saturday, August 28, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. on the grounds of the Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive Rockville. Visit the Back-to-School Fair website for more information.