Hands of Creation, Inc. has kicked off its annual Back to School Drive to help families get their children off to a good start for the 2009-10 school year.

Vice President Mary Bell asks people to donate classroom necessities such as notebook paper, pencils and folders, but she noted a great need for hygienic supplies. She says toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, deodorant and similar items are in demand for struggling families due to economic hardships that have relentlessly affected many families in the community.

“A lot of times, people donate a lot of pencils and paper, but we also want to provide families with shampoo, deodorant and other hygienic supplies, especially with the way society is today,” Bell said.

Bremen City Hall and The Haralson County Gateway-Beacon newspaper office in Bremen currently serve as the drop-off sites for donations.

Meanwhile, families in desperate need of assistance for the upcoming school year can complete applications at the Haralson County Family and Children’s Service building in Buchanan or Tallapoosa City Hall in downtown Tallapoosa.

Applicants must bring a driver’s license or valid form of identification, social security card and proof of residency to the application sites. Applications must be turned in by Wednesday, July 15.

Organizers say they will try to fill as many applications as possible based on the families’ level of need; however, focus will be on local primary and elementary school students.

Bell says the Haralson County Ministries will help distribute the packages Saturday, July 25, at the Callaway Livestock Pavillion in Buchanan from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Participants can also contribute monetary donations to the Hands of Creation, Inc. at any First National Bank of Georgia and Bank of North Georgia location.

For more information about the Back to School Drive or mailing monetary donations, call 770-846-8339 or 770-537-0063.