CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Throughout August, WSOC-TV's 9 Family Focus in partnership with Communities In Schools and Classroom Central will lead a community outreach project to collect school supplies for children.

To learn how you can help, click here.

Now in its 12th year, the School Tools campaign has helped students in 22 counties receive the necessary supplies to successfully learn in school. School supplies collected in each county are given to the students in that county.

Throughout August, Channel 9 will ask viewers and businesses to contribute new pens, pencils, paper, notebooks, backpacks and other school supplies. Donation barrels are located in area Food Lion stores, Ashley Furniture Home Stores and Young Ford in Charlotte. For a list of store locations, please click here and follow the Where To Donate tab.

Special thanks for helping with logistical support for School Tools are the North and South Carolina National Guard and Greif Brothers Corporation.