Only one week remains to help make sure students in the area are prepared for that first day of school. The public can help by donating school supplies at Shopko stores in Minnesota and North Dakota through Friday.

According to a press release, it’s simple to donate. Customers can drop off school supplies in collection bins that are located at more than 50 Shopko and Shopko Hometown stores.

The Tools for School program provides school supplies to students in kindergarten through 12th grade. In August, the supplies will be distributed at local Salvation Army locations based on the community donations, while supplies last. Call your local Salvation Army to register or for more information.

“It’s so important that children are ready for school,” said Lt. Col. Lonneal Richardson, Salvation Army Northern Division Commander. “The shiny, new supplies encourage them to start the school year off on a positive note. This is what it’s all about, communities working together and helping one another.”

The annual Tools for School campaign is now in its 11th year.

The Salvation Army Northern Division has been serving Minnesota and North Dakota communities since 1886. Today the Northern Division serves in all 140 counties of both states, providing food, shelter, clothing, youth programs and other critical services to more than 480,000 people per year. Find the group on social at Facebook.com/SalvationArmyNorth and Twitter at @salarmynorth.