Once again, Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) is collecting new backpacks for local students in need. Its goal is to provide backpacks for 2,300 qualified, low- income children attending schools in the Centreville, Chantilly and Westfield high school pyramids.

But it can’t do it alone; it needs the community’s help. So it’s asking area residents to donate new backpacks. The effort is part of WFCM’S Collect for Kids Back to School program; the backpack drive began July 6 and runs until Aug. 14.

“It is incredible to think that over 52,000 students in the Fairfax County Public Schools system receive free or reduced-price meals,” said Jennie Bush, WFCM’s Community Outreach Manager. “Their parents are struggling to put food on the table, and the prospect of buying backpacks and school supplies is stressful for them.”

“We hope the community will respond generously, as they have in the past, to ensure that children whose families are in crisis are able to return to school this fall with a new backpack,” she continued. “We recognize that it really does take ‘neighbors helping neighbors’ to make sure every student has what he/she needs to start the school year off right.”

And these new backpacks won’t be empty. Thanks to KidsRFirst, a nonprofit dedicated to education, they’ll be filled with school supplies.

It’s the fifth year that the nonprofit WFCM is collaborating with Fairfax County, FCPS and a variety of other, local, nonprofit organizations to furnish high-quality, school backpacks. In 2014, WFCM provided backpacks for 2,019 local children. But because of the continued and increased demand, it hopes to collect even more this year so it may give a backpack to every child in Western Fairfax County who needs one.

“The most critical size needed is for middle and high-school students,” said Bush. “We especially need large backpacks with at least two compartments to hold multiple books and binders. The backpacks should be 18-19 inches high, 13 inches wide and 8-10 inches deep, of good quality and approximately $15-30 in cost.”

She said WFCM’s looking to collect about 1,000 of these large backpacks. And, she added, “We want them to all be different looking so we’re not labeling children with one style or color of backpack. I’ve found the best deal on this size backpack is at Costco, which sells High Sierra, large, excellent quality, multiple-compartment backpacks in various colors for $19. Please, no character backpacks or backpacks with wheels or only one shoulder strap.”

Backpack donations may be brought to WFCM’s Client Services Office and Food Pantry at 13888 Metrotech Drive in Chantilly, next to Papa John’s Pizza. They’ll be accepted Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., and most Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 4-7 p.m.

“WFCM is grateful for the generosity of its supporting churches and businesses — along with many caring individuals — which provide backpacks to low-income students in 23 elementary, middle and high schools in Western Fairfax,” said WFCM Executive Director Lauren Sterling. “We couldn’t support these families without our community’s help.”

For more suggestions on where to purchase backpacks, and the sizes requested, go to www.WFCMVA.org. For more information about donating or sponsoring a school, contact Bush at jbush@wfcmva.org.