Gordon Forgey

It is already time to think about the new school year.

Families must get their children ready. That, as everyone knows, means clothes and supplies. It can be an expensive process.

Getting the required school supplies can be a daunting exercise for some parents.

Finding the different class-by-class and school-by-school requirements is not hard.

Often, what is hard is buying them.

This is true for parents in every school district in the county.

According to the Colfax Chamber of Commerce nearly 30 percent of the children in the Colfax School District are on the free or reduced-cost lunch program.

That points out a financial need in a large part of the school population and suggests many students may need assistance in getting their supplies.

In Colfax, the Chamber of Commerce is spearheading a drive for donations of school supplies for children in need. The Community Action Center is involved as well.

Other efforts in rural towns are aimed at getting school children the supplies they need. There is a large drive in Pullman and south county.

Making sure that county kids get off to the right start when school begins is important.

Those interested in helping should check with community leaders, schools and service groups in their own community. No one group or agency is working in all parts of the county.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher