While the children of east King County may not be happy about it, back to school is on the minds of many parents throughout the region. With back-to-school sales in full swing, and the school districts getting ready, families should pmake sure their kids have everything they need for academic success in the fall.

For some area families, though, getting their kids prepared for back-to-school can be a challenge, especially if they lack the resources to make the significant investment in required supplies. Fortunately, there are many area organizations hosting school-supply giveaways to help kids in need.

One organization, Eastside Baby Corner, is taking back-to-school assistance even further. The nonprofit understands that for a child to be successful in school, having clothes and shoes that fit is just as important as having paper and pencils. In addition to school supplies, EBC is sending many area kids back to school with a clothing bundle containing a week’s worth of school-appropriate clothing. Working through provider partners, EBC will fill clothing bundles for nearly 200 kids each week beginning now and continuing throughout the school year.

Keeping 200 kids a week in school clothes is not an easy task. EBC relies heavily on donations of gently-used clothing from the community for items to put in the bundles, as well the donation of time from hundreds of volunteers to fill the bundles.

While EBC generally receives sufficient donations to fill the bundles, they often run low on children’s pants. Because of this, the organization created a pants-collection event called Pants Party, which they hold each September just after the start of school. During Pants Party, EBC asks the local community to bring in a pair or two of new or gently-used pants to help restock the quickly- dwindling pants supply. They reward donors with an event that is just as much about fun as it is about helping kids.

This year Pants Party, now in its fifth year, will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, September 6, at the EBC Hub (1510 NW Maple St.). The event will feature free entertainment, including activities by KidsQuest Children’s Museum, a performance by Debbie Hansen, the Science Lady, touch a fire truck and police car, pony rides, face painting, games, giveaways and Hub tours. There will also be food and a raffle for great prizes.

Those looking for more information should contact Cori at corib@babycorner.org or call (425) 865-0234, ext. 705.

Beyond Pants Party, anyone interested in donating to Eastside Baby Corner, or volunteering their time should visit the website at www.babycorner.org.