Customers can drop off school supplies throughout July at Huntington Meats and Farmers Market Poultry. (photo courtesy of Huntington Meats)

Huntington Meats and sister shop Farmers Market Poultry are collecting school supplies throughout the month to ensure students are prepared when the new academic year starts in August.

The two shops at the Original Farmers Market are holding a back-to-school supplies drive for the third consecutive year. Through the end of July, those who donate new, unused school supplies valued at $10 or more will receive a complimentary pound of ground beef or homemade Italian sausages from Huntington Meats, or a pound of ground chicken or ground turkey from Farmers Market Poultry.

Huntington Meats proprietor and school supplies drive organizer Jim Cascone said the goal is to collect enough supplies for 600 children. The items will be given to families who receive support from the Union Rescue Mission.

“We forget that some kids may never have started school with brand new school supplies, which was something many of us took for granted growing up,” Cascone said. “The need is children not having the basic tools. The students need backpacks, they need rulers, they need scissors – just the basics. They can’t go to mom and dad and say, ‘I need school supplies’ because they can’t afford them. I’m actually pleading with people to help these children.”

“Our goal is to try make school days a little more exciting for those kids that may be experiencing homelessness or are members of a family that just don’t have the means to purchase new school supplies for their little ones,” head butcher Jon Escobedo added. “We want to do our part to make sure that kids in need in Los Angeles have the best start to the upcoming school year.”

Supplies needed include backpacks, rulers, markers, highlighters, sharpeners, scissors, calculators, pencils, pencil pouches, jumbo erasers, notebooks, binders and tablet protectors. For a full list, visit huntingtonmeats.com/back-to-school-supplies-needed.

The shops are located at the Original Farmers Market, 6333 W. Third St. Huntington Meats is located at Stall 350 and Farmers Market Poultry is located at Stall 216.

For information, call (323)938-5383, or visit huntingtonmeats.com.