Vienna-area families who want to help students start the school year with a full backpack have until Monday, Aug. 10, to donate supplies.

FACETS, the Fairfax County nonprofit led by Executive Director Joe Fay, has extended its annual Back-to-School Drive, giving residents additional time to contribute backpacks, school supplies and financial donations for students in its programs. The organization serves more than 15,000 adults and children annually and according to Patch is collecting new backpacks, notebooks, folders, loose-leaf paper, pencils and composition books.

FCPS classes begin Monday, Aug. 24.

Donations go to students at FACETS' Education and Community Development Centers at One University, Wedgewood, Barros Circle and Ragan Oaks, as well as its Opportunity Neighborhoods programs in Centreville and Annandale, the Next Steps Family Shelter, walk-in clients and referrals from Fairfax County.

The need

One in six Fairfax County students starts the school year without basic supplies, according to FACETS. The organization estimated in a July 31 LinkedIn post that 45,000 children from ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families countywide will begin school this fall without what they need. At that point, the community had committed to 600 backpacks.

How to help

Donors looking to stretch their dollars can take advantage of Virginia's sales tax holiday, which runs Friday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 9. School supplies priced at $20 or less per item qualify for the tax exemption, including backpacks, notebooks and stationery.

FACETS is also accepting financial contributions to cover vehicle fuel, van maintenance and delivery coordination across its distribution sites. The nonprofit reports that 84 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to programs.

Residents can find drop-off information and make donations at facetscares.org/ways-to-give/back-to-school-drive/ or call FACETS at 703-352-5090. The deadline for supply donations is Monday, Aug. 10.