Back to school is a busy — and expensive — time of the year for many Lawrence County parents who do whatever it takes to prepare their children for the return to the classroom.

School supplies alone can cost a small fortune. And that doesn’t even include new clothes.

It can be a very stressful time for families who are already struggling simply to make ends meet as it is.

Thankfully, a variety of volunteer organizations continue to try to do their part to make a difference and equip area school children with backpacks and needed school supplies.

St. Paul Lutheran Church distributed almost 2,000 backpacks Saturday.

Hope United Methodist Church in Proctorville plans to distribute more than 100 in about a week.

We commend these groups and all the others out there who are trying to give something back to the community and prepare children for the upcoming school year.

Students shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not they have the right pencil or notebook or pair of scissors. They should be allowed to focus solely on learning, without these outside distractions that they have no control over.

Parents, educators and the entire community must work together to ensure that our schools and our students have the needed tools to tackle education in the 21st Century.

Lawrence County is off to a strong start.