Ballard Community Services has kicked off its annual school kit program, which provides school supplies to public school children from families that qualify for free or reduced school lunches.

Applications are available at the Ballard Center, 708 Elm St. and the Penn House, 1035 Pa. Applications must be received by the end of July. Distribution is planned for early August.

The program provided school supplies to more than 500 children last year. The items, which appear on the Lawrence public school’s list for necessary supplies for grades K-6, include new backpacks and gym shoes as available. Students in grades 7-12 receive notebooks, filler paper, pens and pencils.

Supplies for the program are provided by donations from the community. Donations can be dropped off at the Ballard Center or Penn House. Monetary contributions may be sent to Ballard Community Services, P.O. Box 7, Lawrence, KS 66044-0007. Please indicate that the funds are for the school kit program.

For information, contact Andy Brown, director of human service programs, 842-0440, or by email at andy@ballardcenter.org.