A number of collection drives are under way to help make sure no student has to start school without the proper supplies.

About 30 percent of public school students in Hawai'i are considered economically disadvantaged, said Greg Knudsen, spokesman for the state Department of Education.

And even though the start of the new school year is at hand — tomorrow is the first day for some campuses — there's still time to donate to organizations from Honolulu to Wai'anae and help a child.

The Wahiawa Lions Club is collecting donations for Wahiawa schoolchildren, many of whom often go to school without supplies, said the club's project coordinator, Jack Kampfer.

Teachers usually end up buying for the students from their own pockets, he said.

The project started as a way to serve the community, he said. Among the commonly needed items listed in school supplies checklists: folders, paper, pencils and pens, and scissors.

Last year, the club collected $1,500 in donations and 1,500 pounds of school supplies, totaling 7,500 pounds since 2003.

The service will continue "as long as there are going to be needy kids," Kampfer said.

On Friday, 55 children from the Next Step Project homeless shelter in Kaka'ako received backpacks filled with school supplies, donated by the Locations Foundations' board of trustees and Prudential Locations.

Stephanie Chan of Prudential Locations said it feels good to help those in need.

"We feel like backpacks and school supplies are such important items that many children need them to do well in school," Chan said. "You don't want any child to go to school without supplies."

Many may feel ashamed that their families can't afford the basics because of the financial situation they are in, said Kapua Tani, services coordinator at the shelter.

"It means the world to them; getting something brand new means a lot," Tani said.

Although the shelter received 15 extra backpacks, donations of school supplies are needed for the children there and other places year-round, Tani said.

"Keep in mind, it's for the whole school year," he said.

WHERE TO GIVE

These are among the school supply collection drives being held across O'ahu: