Florida will not be holding its annual back-to-school tax free holiday this year. That's making it tough on some parents who are already feeling the pinch of high gas prices and a tough economy.

Some Walton County businesses are joining a church to help out those families with their school supply needs. They could use your help as well.

Silver Sands Factory Store and Destiny Worship Center are teaming up to make sure all of the local children needing school supplies have what they need in time for school.

Traci Stokes, Marketing Director, said, "We have several stores that donate, like Nike every year donates shoes, and we have other stores that donate backpacks and in the past that's been fantastic and that's been the majority of backpacks that they've received, but this year because we're up to almost 800 children. We need more shoes and backpacks."

With every $25 dollar the Backpack 2 School program can provide a book bag full of required school supplies. Each child also receives a new pair of shoes, a haircut, along with certificates to purchase some new back-to-school clothes.

Right now the project has received about 400 backpacks, but they still need 300 more by Friday to make sure every child has exactly what they need to start school in August.

Last year's drive helped 600 children. Organizers say they hope to assist at least 750 children this year.

Donations can be dropped off at the Silver Sand's Shopper Services or brought to Destiny Worship Center. Volunteers say the community has done a wonderful job supporting the project so far.

Hilary Farnum of Destiny Worship Center said, "Every year it's been amazing the stories that we've heard from the kids. They send us letters saying just how much it meant to them to be able to have that, so it's really a testament to this community and their outreach and support for these children in Walton County."

If you would like to find out more about the Backpack 2 School drive, or you'd like to make a tax-deductible donation, you're asked to contact Destiny Worship Center at 650-6800.