With the increased numbers of Colorado children living in poverty, many families are simply not able to purchase school supplies for themselves.

These kids are forced to attend school without all of the necessary supplies to make it through a normal school day.

We need your help to collect school supplies!

From July 27 to Aug. 9, look for the blue barrels at Wal-Mart stores along the Front Range. That's where you can drop off school supplies, which will all go to benefit children in schools in our community.

On Saturday, Aug. 8, 9NEWS will host a one-day drive at the 9NEWS studios from 7 a.m. - noon. All supplies will be collected and distributed by Volunteers of America to 15 area school districts in August.

We are also accepting check/cash donations that will be used to purchase additional supplies. Checks can be made out to Stuff for Students and mailed to Stuff for Students, 9NEWS, 500 Speer Blvd. Denver, CO 80203

It is estimated the average cost of supplies for one student totals more than $75.

All school supply donations are welcome, including: backpacks, filler paper wide/college ruled, pack of colored pencils, pencil boxes, crayons (24 count), glue sticks, scissors (all ages), erasers, rulers, pocket folders, black and blue pens, No. 2 pencils, colored markers, highlighters, white glue, and hand pencil sharpeners.

Items that are needed