The first week of August may cause area parents to wonder how long the school supply list will be this fall.

A recent News-Herald article by staff writer Cassandra Shofar states how school supplies have become more expensive each year for parents and schools are supplying less due to state funding losses.

In fact, districts often post their supply lists before the school year, but may ask for additional items later.

According to the News-Herald article, the National Retail Federation's 2011 Back-to-School survey, families with children in kindergarten through grade 12 will spend an average of $603.63 on apparel, school supplies and electronics, within a few dollars of last year's $606.40 average.

However, not every parent can afford school supplies and some organizations in Lake County hope to fill children backpacks through generous donations. 

Willoughby-Eastlake Schools collaborated with Chick-fil-A for a supply drive. The  The School Supplies Drive  is being held until August 6. Patrons can receive free chicken sandwiches when they bring in minimum donations off a supply  list  provided. 

Leadership Lake County, a youth program, has been collecting items for needy children during its annual giving campaign - School Supplies Project.

Volunteers will begin to assemble the school kits and distribute on Monday, August 8 through Friday, August 12 at the Salvation Army on Pearl St. in Painesville. 

Local district post school supply information early so parents know what is needed and to begin the process of scouting out back-to-school deals.

Mentor Schools posted  Summer Central: Information for the 2011 - 2012 school year , which not only has school supply lists, but also orientation information.

Willoughby-Eastlake School district parents can find their supply lists on the individual homepage of each school. However, the Eastlake Middle School list was found in June's newsletter

Wickliffe School district has a new and improved website at www.wickliffeschools.org, which parents can look at school calendars, supply lists and school orientations schedules.

Angela Gartner
AGartner@News-Herald.com