BOARDMAN — The Mahoning County Democratic Party is launching a school-supply drive to benefit students and teachers at the county’s public schools.

Donations of new school supplies can be dropped off at the party’s headquarters, 5111 Market St., Suite 3, Boardman.The hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, Aug. 5 and 7, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 9, 12 and 14.

The campaign aims to tackle the problem that the typical American educator invests more than $750 annually of their own funds on essential classroom supplies.

Party Chairman Chris Anderson said instead of helping public schools, Republicans on the state and federal levels are giving handouts to billionaires.

“Every child deserves a well-equipped classroom and every teacher deserves respect, not a receipt,” he said. “If politicians won’t fund our schools, our community will.”