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PERRY COUNTY, Ky. (WYMT) - The Perry County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a backpack drive as the start of the school year inches closer.

Sheriff Joe Engle said he felt a backpack drive would benefit students and families in Perry County as school supplies are expensive.

“We’re collecting backpacks and what we are going to do is distribute those back to the kids,” said Engle. “Right now, people are kind of financially strapped on money and some kids in the area don’t have that money to buy those things.”

Engle added that this allows his deputies to do more than just patrol the streets, they can also make a difference in their community.

“You get this list, here’s what you need for school, and you start adding it up and it’s a burden for some people. We want to kind of ease that and help some kids and families in our area,” he said.

According to a recent study by NerdWallet, the average parent will spend roughly $511 on supplies and clothes for their kids this school year.

Engle said any backpack donation will help, and if someone would like to also include supplies in the backpack they can.

The office is hoping to host various community events to give out backpacks to students in need.

“I saw this as something that I could do being the sheriff that would reach county-wide,” said Engle. “Other than just my little community it is something that could help all the kids in the county with. We will make sure they all go where they need to. We will make sure they go directly to these kids and these resource centers.”

If you would like to donate, they can be dropped off at the Perry County Sheriff’s Office, or the judicial center or given to a deputy in town.

Engle said they will accept donations through the beginning of August.