Some less fortunate kids in Portage la Prairie will need help getting set for the 2017-18 school year, and you can make the difference.

The Portage Friendship Centre's School Supply Drive is on and they need your help to get school supplies to those in need come the fall. Administrative Assistant Jaelin Way says they always get strong support from businesses, and people in the community.

"There's always more donations coming in and every year it gets better and better. It's nice to see how grateful the school division is when I deliver the supplies, and I can only imagine how grateful the students are to get it."

Way says they'll receive calls at the Centre thanking them for the supplies like binders, pens or pencils, and even shoes or clothing. She says they'll also accept loose leaf, markers and crayons, and backpacks.

"Any type of school supplies will do," says Way. "Electronics are tough, we'll be accepting any if they're donated, but they can be expensive. We're grateful no matter what is donated."

Drop-off boxes will be set up at Stride Credit Union, Royal Bank, Mayfair, and Canadian Tire in Portage. She adds it's easier for people to drop off the supplies right at the store, rather than dropping it at the Friendship Centre. She feels people seeing them makes a difference as they'll grab an extra pack of pens or pencils and throw it in the box on their way out.

The drive ends August 31st.