Kids in Great Falls are enjoying their last days of summer. School starts again in just three weeks. At many stores you'll find shoppers already buying back to school supplies in stocked aisles. In the tough economy, not every parent can afford to buy their children what they need. Local stores like WalMart, ShopKo and Walgreens and the Great Falls Rescue Mission are stepping in to help. You’ll find bins for the mission's back to school drive at many locations around town. They’re asking for donations of everything from pencils to backpacks. Their goal is to help 500 local kids get ready and excited for the new year. What they collect will be given out on August 24th from 1-3PM at the back to school rally at the mission. Parents must register by August 20th and bring their kids to get the free backpacks. Register at: Oppurtunities, Inc. 905 1st Ave. North.

You can drop of donations at: WalMart, ShopKo, Kmart, Walgreens (10th Ave. S. location), Office Max, CVS Pharmacy, Premier Care Pediatrics, Prairie Mountain Bank, PetCetera, Taylor’s Auto Max, Morgenroth Music and at the Down Pour Festival.

Send donations: Great Falls Rescue Mission, PO Box 129, Great Falls, MT, 59403