LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In just a week, the familiar sounds of school buses, lunch room chatter, lockers closing and pencils being sharpened will fill the air once again as Jefferson County Public Schools start a new school year next Thursday. Although it will only be the beginning of the year, many students will already be able to check one assignment off their list — to come to class prepared with the appropriate school supplies.

For the eighth year in a row, E.ON U.S. employees and the Lord's Kitchen, a charitable organization that feeds the hungry and homeless in Louisville, will coordinate the annual Back-to-School School Supply Drive that will distribute more than 4,500 backpacks filled with school supplies to area children.

Beginning at 7 a.m. tomorrow at LG&E's East Operations Center, located at 10300 Ballardsville Road, E.ON U.S. volunteers will gather to assemble the school supply kits and prepare them for distribution on Saturday. Three thousand of the kits will be distributed to four Louisville-area housing projects (a schedule is attached) while an additional 1,800 will be sent to various Jefferson County Public Schools and their resource centers.

Each school kit will include paper, pocket folders, glue sticks, pencils, as well as other supplies. Once assembled, the kits will be placed in backpacks and separated by school age — elementary, middle and high.

"Seeing the kid's faces light up year-after-year never gets old" said Fred Jackson, Director of Generation Services for E.ON U.S., whose team has helped organize the effort the past several years.

"Our employees look forward to this event each year and we are thrilled it has been such a positive impact on the families in these communities".

In addition to the school supply drive in Louisville, LG&E's sister utility, Kentucky Utilities will participate in "Operation Backpack," another back-to-school effort that distributes backpacks filled with school supplies across the state. Eight thousand backpacks will be given out in Fayette County while another 950 will be sent to various other counties.

School Supply Distribution Points for Aug. 8:

1. Park Hill - noon; Near 13th and Brashear Dr.
2. Iroquois - 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.; Bicknell and Hazelwood Streets
3. Beecher Terrace - 2:30 p.m. to 3:25 p.m.; Near 10th St. and Cedar Court
4. Shepherd Square - 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.; the corner of Hancock and Lampton Streets.