DURANT, OKLAHOMA -- "I got some coloring pencils," Durant second grader Taitayana said.

Kids like Taitayana left today's Durant Hope Chest School Supply Drive with a bag full of goodies.

"I got folders and I got two notebooks," Taitayana said.

Taitayana will be just one of more than 2,000 kids getting school supplies from the Hope Chest Drive this week.

"Well it's really a blessing that we get to get things from people who don't have to do this, you know," Taitayana's aunt Quita Donaldson said.

Taitayana came with her aunt, who's also having to buy school supplies for her three kids.

"'Cause some people can't afford it, so it's really helpful," Donaldson said.

Coordinator Tish Burkhalter says that after eight years of doing this drive and working with Families Feeding Families, she knows firsthand that people in this community need the support.

"You know, if people are having trouble eating, they're surely going to have trouble with school supplies and stuff," Burkhalter said.

Just today, they supplied more than 400 kids. But because it's a week-long drive, they are in desperate need of more...

"Backpacks and markers and erasers for the school supplies. I need summer clothes --- it's hot!" Burkhalter said.

Volunteer Cathryn Phelps is encouraging others to be a part of the drive.

"When you look up and see that child's face and the relieved look on that mother's face, it makes it all worth it," Phelps said.

The drive is happening from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. each day this week at 501 NE 4th Street in Durant.

To donate, drop off items to that location, or find contact information at familiesfeedingfamilies.org. If you would like to write a check, make it out to Families Feeding Families and mail it to P.O. Box 5322 in Durant.