Summer is winding down which means educators are preparing the hallways & classrooms for thousands of students. Soon the bells will ring & refreshed students & teachers will be filing through the doors excited & anxious to get another school year off to a great start!

Many, however, may find their book bags & classroom supply closets empty when they reach for pencils & notebooks.

Unfortunately, because of the economy, school supply budgets in Western North Carolina schools have been cut. The effects of the cuts and lack of proper supplies go far beyond the classroom as the burden not only falls on the students, teachers and schools, but on every parent as well.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Wednesday August 8th, join News 13, Clear Channel, Ingles & Eblen Charities in Tools for Schools, the biggest one day local school supply drive in our community.

During last year’s Tools for Schools drive, the community responded and we were able to collect over a million pieces of school supplies. As a result hundreds upon hundreds of students had the supplies they needed for a successful year. The need is just as great, if not greater, heading into the 2012 school year!

We encourage you to donate where you live or work. You can feel good knowing the school supplies you donate on August 8th will go to a child in your community!

As you shop for groceries or school supplies for your own children in the coming days, pick up some extras and take them to the following Ingles location on Wednesday, August 8th:

• Buncombe County
Ingles on Tunnel Rd (near the tunnel)
85 Tunnel Rd., Asheville 28805
Drop Off Times: 5am-7pm

• Henderson County
Ingles on Asheville Highway
1980 Hwy 25 North, Hendersonville 28792
Drop Off Times: 7am-7pm

• Rutherford County
Forest City Ingles
756 Church Street, Forest City 28043
Drop Off Times: 7am-7pm

• Jackson County
Slyva Ingles
19 Webster Road, Sylva 28778
Drop Off Timesss: 7am-7pm

The following Ingles locations will have designated 'Tools for Schools Buggies' where you can drop of supplies. Look for the 'Tools for Schools' signs near the front of the store. We’ll make sure all the supplies get to your local schools!!!

• Graham County
Robbinsville Ingles
2 Sweetwater Rd., Robbinsville 28771
Drop Off Times: 6am-6pm

• Transylvania County
Brevard Ingles
710 North Broad Street, Brevard 28714

• Haywood County
Waynesville Ingles
201 Barber Blvd., Waynesville 28786

• Macon County
Franklin Ingles
398 Westgate Road, Franklin 28734

• Madison County
Mars Hill Ingles
213 Big Branch Road, Mars Hill 28754

• McDowell County
Marion Ingles
309 West Henderson Street, Marion 28752

• Mitchell County
Spruce Pine Ingles
125 Greenwood Road, Spruce Pine 28777

• Rutherford County
Forest City Ingles
756 Church Street, Forest City 28043

• Swain County
Bryson City Ingles
Hughes Branch Road, Bryson City 28713

• Yancey County
Burnsville Ingles
400 Highway 19 East, Burnsville 28714
Drop Off Times: 6am-6pm

• WLOS-TV
110 Technology Dr., Asheville 28803
(828) 684-1340
Drop Off Times: 8am-5pm