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RALEIGH — Communities In Schools of North Carolina (CISNC), part of the leading dropout prevention network in the nation that is dedicated to empowering students to stay in school and achieve in life, is proud to announce participation in a statewide campaign, “Build A Backpack,” with Walmart to collect school supplies for economically-disadvantaged students in North Carolina.

The 2012 “Build A Backpack” back-to-school supply drive is the largest school supply drive ever conducted by Walmart in North Carolina, involving 139 local Walmart stores across the state. CISNC has identified 79 counties that will benefit from the “Build A Backpack” program and the donated supplies. To expand its reach across the state, CISNC has also partnered with other trusted nonprofits, such as United Way, to assist CISNC in counties where there are Walmart stores but not a local CISNC affiliate.

The campaign, which started July 23, and runs until Aug. 31, allows customers at Walmart to purchase school supplies and donate them as they leave. Bins will be available at the front of all participating Walmart stores to collect the donated items. These items will be given to CISNC affiliates, as well as the other designated nonprofits, and then distributed to low-income public school students. Each affiliate will decide how they will allocate the supplies to students in their communities.

“We could not be more thrilled to partner with Communities In Schools again to serve our state’s students,” said Ronny Hayes, regional vice president of Walmart and board member of Communities In Schools of North Carolina (CISNC). “It is our hope that the back-to-school supply drive piloted here in North Carolina, with the invaluable help of Communities In Schools, will serve as a model across the country.”

“With a presence in 44 counties across North Carolina, Communities In Schools touches North Carolina’s neediest children,” said Linda Harrill, president and CEO of CISNC. “In fact, 97 percent of the students that CIS serves are economically disadvantaged. We thank Walmart for its commitment to serve those most in need by launching such a massive and promising school supply campaign. A small investment today in ‘Build A Backpack’ will pay a big dividend in the lives of students who need the essential tools that support their success in school.”

Signage promoting “Build A Backpack” will appear throughout all Walmart stores in North Carolina throughout the campaign. All donations are greatly appreciated.