Staff and volunteers at ICAN Junction, the retail home improvement store of the Island Coast AIDS Network, are now finishing stuffing 75 backpacks with school supplies collected for “ICAN Kids.”

“The Island Coast AIDS Network launched a school supply drive in June to collect items need for the children of our clients so that they can be prepared for the new school year,” said Director of Development J. Mitchell Haley.

“Our good friends and supporters at Power Purchasing stepped forward with a very generous donation of 75 backpacks and several donors have already dropped off much-needed supplies like, pens, pencils, erasers, glue sticks, hi-lighters and more to help stuff the backpacks in time for the first day of school.”

Items in particular need right now to finish the drive include notebooks, ruled 3-hole punched notepaper, pocket folders, crayons and art supplies.

In Lee County this year school will start on Aug. 8 and on Aug. 20 in Collier County. ICAN serves both counties. Donations are being accepted at the ICAN Junction on U.S. 41 in North Fort Myers, at the Fort Myers ICAN office on McGregor Boulevard and at the Naples ICAN office on Radio Road.

“Many of our clients live on very limited budgets and the fact that ICAN supporters help prepare their children with needed school supplies is greatly appreciated. We’ll accept items up to Aug. 1.”

The local, environmentally friendly, one-stop-shop for new and used home improvement materials, ICAN Junction has large appliances, furniture, sinks, light fixtures, doors, windows, mirrors, home accents and more. The purpose of the shop is not only to provide do-it-yourself goods, but to also keep usable, sellable materials out of the landfill.

Right now, they have an abundance of great furniture, said ICAN store manager Michael Graves.

“And we have all kinds of light fixtures. That includes everything for the bathroom and chandeliers, which are unbelievably priced.”

ICAN has been serving the Southwest Florida community since 1987 and provides vital services to over 400 HIV infected individuals and their families. The organization is partially funded by Lee County and is a United Way partner agency.

For more information or to arrange a pickup of donated items for the store, contact Haley at 337-2391 extension 211 or email mahley@icanswfl.org.

ICAN Junction is located in the United Plaza, 13971 N. Cleveland Ave. in North Fort Myers. For information Junction, call 997-4226. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.