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Local kids still in need of supplies as they head back to school

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — With the school year getting underway, there still aren’t enough supplies to go around.

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For the last 16 years, Mike Radka and the Hope Now Foundation have partnered p to collect backpacks full of school supplies for students in need.

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However, this year, they’re at risk of not reaching their goal, so they’re extending their deadline to donate.

“You never know what the true need is of the community until you start to hear back from people,’ President and Founder of the Hope Now Foundation Ike Radka said.

School supplies are currently pricier than ever, which could give the impression that it’s more expensive to donate, but that’s not the case.

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Local mother of three, Doreen Franklin, says she knows first-hand how hard it is to make ends meet in the current economy.

Luckily for her, she was able to take advantage of a school supply drive like the virtual Backpack-A-Thon held by the Help Now Foundation Thursday.

“If they can help out, definitely do so, because this helped,” Franklin said. “It’ll help a lot of kids and families get the help that they need. Radka hopes others hear Franklin’s message.

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“The greatest need that we have eight now is a higher volume of backpacks and school supplies,” Radka said.”

The deadline to donate is now August 31. For more information on how to help, click here.

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Q Mccray

Q McCray, WFTV.com

Q McCray is an award-winning general assignment reporter.