A book bag may not seem as important as shoes, but both are essential for a child to succeed in school, educators and social workers say.

A new bag, filled with pencils, crayons and other supplies, will help students perform well and feel good about themselves. It's especially critical for kindergartners to start their school careers feeling positive.

To that end, the Gwinnett County Department of Family and Children Services is asking community members to donate book bags and school supplies for children in DFCS' care. The children may be in foster care, protective custody or may be in families that are receiving economic services, such as food stamps and Medicaid.

"Every child who returns to school wants to be fresh and make a new start," said Deborah Barinowski, volunteer coordinator for Gwinnett County DFCS. "It may give them the encouragement to do well, because it says the community cares about them. It's both practical and affirming."

She is asking people to bring new book bags and school supplies to the Georgia National Guard Armory in Lawrenceville from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday and Tuesday. Volunteers will be on hand to deal with the donations, and to fill each bag with age- and grade-appropriate items.

If you can't find the time to purchase the pencils and notebooks yourself, DFCS will happily do the shopping for you and accept your check. Caseworkers and guardians will distribute book bags to children who need them.

The armory is at 261 E. Crogan St. To contribute money, make checks payable to Gwinnett DFCS Volunteer Fund and send them to Gwinnett County DFCS, Attn: Deborah Barinowski, One Justice Center, 446 W. Crogan St., Lawrenceville, GA 30045. For more information, contact Barinowski at DFCS, 678-518-5758.

OTHER PROGRAMS

Other agencies, organizations and groups are also seeking donated school supplies in Gwinnett County.

> The Children's Restoration Network runs its Back to School Program for homeless children through early August. The program provides new book bags and all necessary school supplies for more than 3,500 children living in a shelter or group home sometime during the school year. Collection sites in Gwinnett include Kroger stores and Bank of America branches. For more details, call 770-649-7117 or visit www.childrn.org.

> The Foster Children's Foundation in Duluth is accepting donated school supplies through July 31. For details, call 770-623-6135.

> The Gwinnett Children's Shelter in Buford is accepting donations of school supplies throughout the school year. For details, call 678-546-8770.

> Kurt's & Vreny's, a Duluth restaurant, is holding a re-opening party on July 31, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., and is asking people to bring school supplies to get into the re-opening celebration for free. For more information, call 770-623-4128.