With historic cost-of-living rates and unprecedented inflation affecting family budgets, shopping for school supplies is a challenge. In the Lakes Region, hundreds of students will benefit from free backpacks and school supplies this year because of the community's generosity.

The fundraisers come at a crucial time for many, and it’s just a small way to help lighten the load, says Laura Eberhard, operations director at The Marriott TownePlace Suites in Gilford.

Things are expensive and the team is “just trying to offset that,” said Eberhard, who, along with her colleagues Michelle Wilson and Chloe Boucher, launched a school supply drive for local kids.

According to a press release about the effort, “Many families in our community face financial challenges that make it difficult to purch

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