Franklin Savings Bank’s (FSB) SmileSquad is collecting school supplies to assist teachers and students with attaining the necessary items needed for the new school year. SmileSquad is also soliciting assistance from the community with donating supplies to this important community initiative.

“This is a great time of year to take advantage of super sales on school supplies,” commented Sarah Stanley, Community Relations Officer. “We are enlisting the help of the public to consider picking up something extra to help our neighbors in need, as well as assist teachers and local schools with stocking up on necessary supplies for the upcoming school year.”

Suggested items for SmileSquad’s Back-to-School Supplies Drive include: #2 pencils, colored pencils, pens, small pencil sharpeners, crayons, markers (coloring and permanent), dry erase / white board markers (thick and thin), Sharpies (thick and thin), small sticky notes, notebooks, paper (all types), glue, glue sticks, scissors, tape (clear and 2” masking), 3-ring binders, backpacks, lunch boxes, soft tissues, anti-bacteria wipes, paper towels, brown paper lunch sacks, and snack and sandwich baggies.

All donated items may be dropped off at any of FSB’s seven offices located in Boscawen, Bristol, Franklin, Gilford, Laconia, or Tilton. SmileSquad will deliver the items to schools located in FSB’s service area in time for when the new school session begins.

Founded in January 2013, Franklin Savings Bank created SmileSquad as a program to connect the bank with the communities it serves on another level. The program continues to “pay it forward” with random acts of kindness to benefit local non-profits, businesses and community members. New this year is a year-round collection that benefits programs such as animal shelters, homeless shelters, food pantries, and schools.

This altruistic program provides an element of surprise by not disclosing where SmileSquad members will show up in the communities served by FSB. The goal behind the program is to create a ripple effect of random acts of kindness, thereby encouraging others to simply “pay it forward.”

You can learn more about FSB by calling 934-4445 or visiting FSBnh.com.