Valerie St. Pierre was asking herself recently what she could do to help the community.

“And it just came to me,” the Wiscasset woman said.

She decided to see if she could collect school supplies to donate to students at Wiscasset's schools. St. Pierre has one student each at the primary, middle and high schools; she thought a collection would help meet students' needs in tight budget times.

She got the OK for a supply collection box at the Wiscasset Community Center, and has picked up a fellow volunteer in her effort, Ann Kinney.

“I thought it was a great idea,” said Kinney, a Westport Island resident and Wiscasset High School parent.

Plans call for asking local businesses if boxes can be put at their locations.

To donate supplies or get details on items being collected, contact St. Pierre at 207-315-5193 or Ann Kinney at 207-319-0987. St. Pierre has also started a Facebook page, under School Supplies for Children, Wiscasset, Maine.

No donations of money are being accepted at this time, because the effort does not have nonprofit status, St. Pierre said.

Susan Johns can be reached at 207-844-4633 or susanjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com.