Donate to Help Local Kids Going Back to School [VIDEO]

ST. CLOUD -- Catholic Charities is collecting school supplies for children in the St. Cloud area to get back to school - but more is needed.

Chad Kaushagen has been involved with Catholic Charities for 13 years and says they need more help to equip the 2,000-plus kids in the area going back to school.

The organization says they are looking for supplies like notebooks, pencils, markers, backpacks and anything else needed for children to go to school prepared.

"This community is great - it always steps up, but we are seeing a great need and we just simply don't have enough," Kaushagen says.

Kaushagen says that many people in our community are just not aware of the amount of need in our community.

"I don't think people realize often how tight folks' budgets are," Kaushagen says.

"If folks are already accessing the food shelf, spending an extra $50 to $75 per student to go back to school can be a real challenge."

Kaushagen says if people would like to help out with a donation, visit Catholic Charities weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.