School is out and Maple Valley Food Bank and Emergency Services staff and volunteers are busy getting ready for back to school.

Each summer they fill new backpacks with new, grade-level appropriate supplies for preregistered children in kindergarten through 12th grade.

School supply donations will be accepted until Aug. 22 to help local children in need start the school year prepared to learn.

More than 600 requests for supply packs are expected this year from families in Covington, Hobart, Maple Valley, Ravensdale and within the Tahoma School District boundaries.

Community support is critical to meeting this need.

Log on to www.maplevalleyfoodbank.org for needed supplies and collection sites around the community, including Bank of America in Wilderness Village, City Perk Coffee, Covington Library, Covington MultiCare, Greater Maple Valley Community Center, Key Bank in Maple Valley, Maple Valley Fire stations 80, 81 or 83, Maple Valley Fitness, Maple Valley Library, Thrive Community Fitness and the food bank. Monetary donations are always welcome to support the bulk purchase of needed supplies.

Donate on the secure website, mail to P.0. Box 322, Maple Valley, 98038, or get Backpack Bucks at City Perk Coffee in Maple Valley, Surfrider Coffee Company in Covington or Village Coffee in Maple Valley.

Registration for School Supply Backpacks begins July 23 and ends Aug. 23 at Maple Valley Food Bank, 21415 Maple Valley Highway during food bank hours.