The Bucks County Opportunity Council needs backpacks, gift cards and school supplies dropped off at its Doylestown office by Friday, August 7, to help low-income students start the school year equipped.

The nonprofit's 26th annual back-to-school drive supports children whose parents are enrolled in BCOC's Economic Self-Sufficiency Program, which serves families earning at or below 200% of the federal poverty line ($54,640 for a family of three). Last year's drive provided supplies and funding for 181 students.

Amy Griffiths, BCOC's communications and development manager, said the financial pressure on families grows each year as schools shift more supply costs to parents.

"Back to school time always causes stress because every year schools are putting more and more of the responsibility back on the parents to provide material," Griffiths told the Bucks County Beacon on Saturday, July 19. "And also, kids want to have what everybody else has."

What to donate

BCOC's preferred donation is a gift card worth at least $100 per child, which lets families shop together for what they actually need. The organization also accepts new backpacks, school supplies, and lunch bags.

Where and when

The Doylestown drop-off location is at 252 W. Swamp Rd. (Route 313), Unit 5. Donations are accepted 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday through August 7. Two additional offices accept donations on the same schedule: 125 California Road in Quakertown and 721 Veterans Highway in Bristol.

Residents can call the Doylestown office at 267-733-0529 to confirm hours or visit bcoc.org for more information.