A local organization is working to make sure some of the area’s neediest students have the supplies they need when school begins this fall. Interfaith Works’ annual backpacks and school supplies drive is now underway. The effort will provide about 2,500 economically vulnerable students with brand-new backpacks filled with school supplies.

Potomac residents Bruce and Margo Fonoroff are helping with the effort by partnering with Interfaith Works to host an annual ice cream social. The social is Saturday, Aug. 20, starts with a car show at 11 a.m. and continues with food, prizes and live music at Park Potomac Place in Potomac. The public is asked to bring new backpacks filled with school supplies.

"The school supplies program is so important, not just because it helps kids in need feel confident and prepared to start the school year right,” said Shane Rock, Interfaith Works CEO. “The program also lifts a financial burden from families so they aren't forced to choose between equipping their kids with tools for school and paying the electric bill or buying food or medicine."

Interfaith Works is a local, non-sectarian interfaith coalition of more than 165 affiliated congregations of diverse faiths, working together to meet the needs of the poor and homeless in Montgomery County. Officials from the organization are distributing backpacks to children every Friday in August at the Interfaith Clothing Center, located at 751 Twinbrook Parkway in Rockville. Donations of backpacks and school supplies can be dropped off at this location.

For more information and a complete list of supplies, visit: http://www.iworksmc.org/school-supplies-drive/

Ice Cream Social – School Supplies Drive

Saturday, Aug. 20

11 a.m.

Park Potomac Place

12500 Park Potomac Ave

Potomac, MD 20854

Bring a backpack filled with school supplies.

Top 5 Items Needed:

• Pencil boxes

• Pencil pouches

• New 2-inch binders

• Blue pens

• Black pens

Alternatively, new supplies can be delivered to:

Interfaith Clothing Center

751 Twinbrook Parkway

Rockville, MD 20851