School supplies and backpacks will be a focus for families in the next two weeks as a new school year is about to start. Classes will start Aug. 3 for Gainesville City Schools students and Aug. 5 for Hall County Schools students. The average person spends $97.74 on school supplies for students in K-12, according to the National Retail Federation.
Where those in need can get backpacks, school supplies for free
![](https://gainesvilletimes.cdn-anvilcms.net/media/images/2017/08/27/images/backpackcutout.max-1200x675.jpg)
![backpackcutout](https://gainesvilletimes.cdn-anvilcms.net/media/images/2017/08/27/images/backpackcutout.max-752x423.jpg)