The University of Arizona has joined in an effort to collect school supplies for Tucson schoolchildren who can't afford them.

The project, called Tools for Schools, is a partnership between KOLD News 13 and Tucson-based nonprofit organization World Care. Helping in the effort this year at the UA Office of Community Relations, Main Gate Square, and Cricket Wireless.

Tools For Schools, which began five years ago, was initiated by World Care. Every year, KOLD initiates and facilitates the collection of school supplies all over Tucson and World Care serves as a clearinghouse for any Tucson school teacher who needs supplies for children in their classrooms.

University employees are encouraged to donate new or gently used school supplies to ensure that future Wildcats begin the school year with the tools they need for a successful education, said Holly Altman, director of outreach and community partnerships in the Office of Community Relations.

Supplies can be dropped off at the VIP Valet Lane east of Gentle Ben’s or at the Arizona Bookstore at Park and Second Street on Friday and Saturday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

School supplies needed include backpacks, pens, #2 pencils, pencil sharpeners, notebooks, wide-rule paper, erasers, markers, crayons, index cards, folders, rulers, glue, binders, paper, protractors and calculators.

For more information, please contact Holly Altman in the UA Office of Community Relations at 626-4671 or Jane McCollum, Main Gate Square at 622-8613.