The Tools for Schools program at Shopko stores in Minnesota and North Dakota which started in July and will wrap up Friday.

Shopko stores are still collecting supplies for kids headed back to school next month. People can donate by visiting a Shopko store and finding the Tools for Schools bin.

“Thanks to Shopko, more children will be better prepared and ready to go when that first day of school arrives,” Lt. Col. Robert Thomson, Salvation Army Northern Division commander, said in a press release.

By providing backpacks, notebooks, pencils and other school essentials, children and parents can be more focused on school, not worried about being unprepared or coming up with the money for necessary supplies.

Financial gifts to purchase supplies can also be mailed to The Salvation Army in local communities, or donations can be made online to give a student supplies at https://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/northern/back-to-school.

Local Shopko locations:

•Austin — 1209 18th Ave. NW, Austin

•Albert Lea — 2610 Bridge Ave., Albert Lea

•Fairmont – 1001 Highway 15 S., Fairmont

•Fergus Falls — 226 E. Lincoln Ave., Fergus Falls

•Rochester — 2820 Highway 63 S. and 3708 Highway 63 N., Rochester

•Winona — 405 Cottonwood Dr., Winona