Going back to school may not be something kids want to think about just yet, but local charity groups certainly are.

One such group is the HUGSS Program. This year the number of families who could use the extra help it offers is expected to grow. The idea is to make sure that every child has the very basics they need to go to school and be ready to learn.

At Fireweed One Dry Cleaners they've been collecting and cleaning hundreds of used coats. Owner, Randy Earp, says it's become a year round effort to make sure that kids have warm clothing for school.

"We clean em, we divide them u, whether they need to be washed or dry cleaned. And then we clean them and we put them in boxes downstairs until it's time to distribute them," said

Earp of Fireweed Cleaners.

And this year that day is just around the corner. The HUGSS distribution is August 7th and 8th at the Mountain View Boys and Girls Club. But organizers say families who don't come early sometimes lose out.

"Unfortunately with the amount of coats we get, we do the distribution typically on Thursday and Friday. And by the close of business Thursday all the coats will then be gone," said Garry Forrester of Lutheran Social Services.

Workers say they are better set with school supplies, things like backpacks pens and paper. Research shows children who don't have to worry about where those supplies will come from, are likely to be more excited about school and ready to learn. And for their parents, there is a benefit as well: a little extra money in their pocket that can be a step towards breaking the cycle of poverty.

"If they don't have to spend 30, 40, 50, 60 bucks on school supplies, if they can use that money to pay a utility bill, or they can use that money to buy groceries, or use that money for gasoline, that benefits the family as well. So the child is getting the benefit of being ready for school and the parents are getting the benefit of being able to use the money for something else

that they need," said Forrester.

The HUGSS program is still accepting coats. Crayons are the big school supply they are looking for this year. They could also use a lot of volunteers in the first week of August to help them sort those items and distribute them.

If you would like more information about how you can help, you can call:

    64-HUGSS or 644-8477

To contact Lauren, call 907-273-3186.