CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. - At the School Box supply store in Port Charlotte the ringing of the cash register is the unofficial sound that summer is ending and school is starting up once again.

But, for thousands of parents and educators like 2nd grade teacher Melissa White, this year's school supplies aren't going to be as plentiful as in the past.

"We're gonna just go back to the basics do what we're there to do and that's teach the kids," says White.

"We're seeing definitely a trend to buying lower cost items and also fewer of them shopping the store," says Donald Knoepfle, owner of The School Box.

Teachers and parents in Charlotte took another hit when the school district announced they didn't have enough donations for their annual back to school giveaway. But, the members of the community stepped into help.

Now, the event is being held on Saturday, August 9th at the Cultural Center in Port Charlotte from 9 a.m. To 4 p.m. There will be tons of activities for kids including a visit from the Tampa Bay Rays, a carnival, games, food and free back-to-school supplies for the first 1,500 kids.

"Even if it's just one family anything we can do to help we felt like we had to do something," says the Cultural Center's Donna Barrett.

Anyone who wants to help can contact Donna Barrett at 941-625-4175 ext.253