Ballard Community Services is seeking donations for its annual school kit program, which provides school supplies to students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Douglas County.

All supplies found on the USD 497 school supply list are distributed. Kyle Roggenkamp, director of human services at Penn House, said the most-needed items are backpacks, facial tissue, glue, glue sticks, zip-close bags, scissors and dry-erase markers.

Supplies will be distributed the week of Aug. 5 to students who qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches, about 800 students total.

Donations should be in by Aug. 2, and can be dropped off at the Ballard Center, 708 Elm St. or Penn House, 1035 Pennsylvania St. They may also be taken to the Lawrence UPS locations, the three Peoples Bank branches and M&M Office Supply, 623 Massachusetts St.

Financial donations should be mailed to Ballard Community Services, P.O. Box 7, Lawrence, KS, 66044, and donors should indicate in the memo line that funds are for the school kit program. Gift cards to stores such as Wal-Mart, Hyvee and Target are also accepted.

To apply for a child to receive supplies, stop by Penn House between 8 a.m. and noon before July 31.