ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- Catholic Charities of Chemung and Schuyler Counties is hosting a back to school drive for students in the area from Kindergarten to 6th grade.

"It's probably not going to have everything they need to go back to school, but to give them a good start," said Katie Rhodes, communications coordinator of Catholic Charities of Chemung and Schuyler Counties.

Even in the wake of the announcement that Elmira City School District is providing free school supplies for all students, Catholic Charities will still be collecting backpacks for those students, as they will not be included in the free supplies.

"We're really gonna focus on backpacks for those kids. Then for kids that are in the Elmira City School District, we'll be giving out backpacks and school supplies for them," Rhodes said.

Catholic Charities is hoping to supply 500 kids with necessary school supplies as the upcoming school year draws closer.

"We would like to have 500 of everything, just to be prepared. We really don't know, we haven't had Strong Kids Safe Kids in a while, so we're excited to be back with that event. We're really focusing on giving out backpacks and school supplies to kids from Kindergarten to sixth grade, and we just would like to be prepared the best we can," said Rhodes.

The supplies will be given out at Strong Kids Safe Kids at the Chemung County Fairgrounds on August 27. However if people can not make it, Catholic Charities would still like to help.

"There's always that situation where you have families that move, or they weren't able to make the event and they still need school supplies. So, we'd like to be able to help them after the event as well," Rhodes said.

If you or someone you know is in need of school supplies, click here to learn more.

To learn how you can donate, click here. Drop boxes for supply donations are also located around Chemung and Schuyler Counties.