Here's the press release from Eblen Charities:

BUDGET CUTS CONTINUE TO AFFECT AREA SCHOOL STUDENTS AS INGLES AND EBLEN BRING GROUPS TOGETHER TO FILL THE GAP

In just a few weeks, the 2011-2012 school year will begin in western North Carolina. Tens of thousands of students will again be filing through the doors of schools across the mountains preparing for another year of the excitement of learning.

But before the first bell rings, students and their teachers will again be finding themselves facing the same challenge they encountered the past two years and that may in fact be greater than last year.

As students reach for the paper and pencils they need, they may find their back packs, book bags, and classroom supply closets empty.

Area schools’ budgets will once again be on the cutting block that will affect their budget for school supplies which includes paper, pencils, rulers, notebooks, and other basic items that are essential to students’ education not just as school begins but throughout the year as well.

The effects of the cuts and lack of proper supplies goes far beyond the classrooms as the burden not only falls upon the students, teachers, and schools, but on every parent as well.

On Thursday August 11th, Eblen Charities will again be partnering with Ingles Markets, WLOS-TV, and Clear Channel Radio to stand beside the students, teachers, school administration, staff, and parents in helping make sure that students who can not afford the proper school supplies will have what they need for a successful school year.

This year the Tools for Schools Drive will be collecting school supplies and snacks at the Ingles Market on Tunnel Road (across from Outback Steakhouse) and will be adding more sites at Ingles throughout western North Carolina to reach more schools and students than in years past.

Last year the one day Tools for Schools Drive collected more than one million items that benefited thousands of students in our community.

“In these difficult times, it is easy to disregard things that many may consider less important. But where this might seem lower on the list of priorities, it is vital to every student that attends school in western North Carolina. Sadly it has become an extra burden to families struggling through the current financial situation,“ states Bill Murdock, executive director of the Eblen Charities. “But it is during these times we are presented with a great opportunity to join together to reach out and lend a hand to these students and their families. It is also important to remember that classroom needs continue all year long. Handing out backpacks and school supplies in August is only the beginning.”

The Tools for Schools program began a number of years ago in partnership with Ingles Markets and has grown to supply hundreds upon hundreds of students with everything from pencils and paper to notebooks, backpacks and rulers in Buncombe County and Asheville City Schools, providing them with the supplies they need to begin the school year and maintain it all year long.

With great assistance from volunteers, donors, and numerous civic organizations, Tools for Schools has grown each year. And now thanks to the vision of those at Ingles Markets, the program has again raised the bar to add another level of service in the community and to more schools and students than ever before.

School supplies can also be dropped off at area Ingles Markets on August 11th in counties throughout western North Carolina. Foe a complete list please visit Ingles and WLOS-TV’s websites.

Some of the items needed are:

Boxes of Tissues

Rulers

Safety Scissors

Glue Sticks

#2 Pencils

Colored Pencils

Two-Pocket and Three-Pocket Folders

Highlighters

Crayons

Loose-Leaf Paper

Composition / Notebooks

Book Bags

Whiteboard Dry Erase Markers (Black)

Zip-Lock Freezer Bags (Gallon, Quart,Snack Size)

5×7 Note Cards

Pencil Erasers

Purell Hand-Sanitizer

If you or your company or organization would like to join us in providing needed school supplies to the children we serve, please contact Bill Murdock at Eblen Charities at 828-242-2848 or via email at eblenfound@aol.com

Drop off locations:

Buncombe County
Ingles on Tunnel Rd (near the tunnel)
85 Tunnel Rd., Asheville 28805
Drop Off Times: 5am-7pm

Graham County
Robbinsville Ingles
2 Sweetwater Rd., Robbinsville 28771
Drop Off Times: 6am-6pm

Henderson County
Ingles on Asheville Highway
1980 Hwy 25 North, Hendersonville 28792
Drop Off Times: 6am-6pm

Rutherford County
Forest City Ingles
756 Church Street, Forest City 28043
Drop Off Times: 6am-6pm

The following Ingles locations will have designated "Tools for Schools Buggies" where you can drop of supplies. Look for the "Tools for Schools" signs near the front of the store. We'll make sure all the supplies get to your local schools!

Haywood County
Waynesville Ingles
201 Barber Blvd., Waynesville 28786

Jackson County
Slyva Ingles
19 Webster Road, Sylva 28778

Macon County
Franklin Ingles
398 Westgate Road, Franklin 28734

Madison County
Mars Hill Ingles
213 Big Branch Road, Mars Hill 28754

McDowell County
Marion Ingles
309 West Henderson Street, Marion 28752

Mitchell County
Spruce Pine Ingles
125 Greenwood Road, Spruce Pine 28777

Rutherford County
Forest City Ingles
756 Church Street, Forest City 28043

Swain County
Bryson City Ingles
Hughes Branch Road, Bryson City 28713

Transylvania County
Brevard Ingles
710 North Broad Street, Brevard 28714

Yancey County
Burnsville Ingles
400 Highway 19 East, Burnsville 28714
Drop Off Times: 6am-6pm

WLOS-TV
110 Technology Dr., Asheville 28803
(828) 684-1340
Drop Off Times: 8am-5pm