Thanks to the Selma Police Department, several parents will be able to prepare their children for the 2014-2015 school year with less of a financial burden.

The department is conducting their 5th Annual Police Assisting with School Supplies Drive. With some community support, the department would like to raise at least $1,000 to fund school supplies for those getting ready for school.

“We recognize that we live in an area that is economically tight for a lot of parents, and of course that has an affect on the kids,” Selma Chief of Police William Riley said. “We saw the need. We know that education is just so important to kids, especially for the kids at younger ages.”

Paper, pencils, backpacks and other supplies listed on several school supply lists will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bloch Park  on a first-come, first-serve basis Saturday, Aug. 2 during the Back-to-school Festival/Cops and Kids Day.

Each student will be given a free ticket, which they will hand to officers in exchange for a backpack full of supplies.

Riley said combining the Back-to-school Festival with the Cops and Kids Day gives law enforcement a chance to help the community while developing a stronger bond with them.

“We have a lot of things going on with responding to crimes and all of that, but we still have to take time to do community policing,” Riley said. “It’s part of the big picture.”

Past years of positive feedback has left Riley confident this year’s event will be greatly appreciated by the community.

“You always get those small groups of people or individuals who are negative in the city, but you have to look pass those people,” Riley said. “You just got to look toward to the people that need help.”

Donations for the drive should be submitted to the Selma Police Department, located on 1300 Alabama Ave., on or before Friday, July 31.

The deadline for checks is July 29.

For more information, contact Selma Police Department’s Lt. Natasha Fowlkes at 874-5261 or 375-1554.