While many parents are ecstatic at the thought of their kids going back to school, for some families, it's not a time of excitement.

Instead, back to school time can be a stressful period of budget cuts, and penny pinching for many Foothills families.

Meghan Harvey, Team Leader for My City Care with My Victory Church in Okotoks says, she and her church community know the struggle, and they want to lend a hand.

"We are collecting donations of school supplies and food hamper donations, so that we can put together backpacks and give them out to families who are maybe struggling going back to school in September."

Some Foothills schools provide basic supplies like pens, pencils and paper, but there's so much more on the school list that can be a pressure for families to provide.

Things like indoor shoes, gym clothes, and expensive scientific calculators can break the bank.

Harvey says, there's so much more to back to school that her church community can help to provide.

"We're also going to help families provide things like haircuts to the kids." She adds "We're going to provide families with gift cards so that they can go get some shoes and clothes, to just help out with all the expenses that seem to add up when it comes to back to school."

The goal, is to fill a yellow school bus with much needed backpacks for any families within the Foothills boundaries, but the group says they need the communities support.

My City Care, is looking for donations of any school supplies or back packs to be used for their project.

"We're going to have a collection bin at the Elks Hall every Sunday morning, until the end of August.  We're also going to be taking collections at the Show N' Shine and other events."

Harvey says if you have questions, or want to donate, but can't make any of their collection events you can contact her or the church directly.

She is reachable by Facebook Message, which you can access by clicking here.

Nominations for families in need are also underway.

If you know of someone who is struggling, or would like to be considered yourself, contact the 'My Victory Church' or Meghan Harvey.

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@okotoksonline.com