Maybe this year, they think, things will turn out great. Perhaps they will earn a spot in the top reading group, or finally master algebra, or be chosen as class president.

Maybe, just maybe, they could even earn straight A's, if they worked hard enough.

The thousands of East Bay children who live in poverty share these dreams. But too often, their hopes are clouded by the knowledge that back-to-school also brings the burden of expenses their families can't afford.

Many of these kids know all-too-well how it feels to walk into the classroom empty-handed, while their peers come toting packs and pencilboxes full of new school supplies.

You can help.

Today, Hills newspapers once again kicks off Project Ready to Learn, our annual effort to collect new school supplies for kids who otherwise would go without. Through Aug. 25, all Hills and Contra Costa Times offices are accepting donations (see "How to Help" for details).

"It helps bridge that gap," says Roxann Morales, a project manager for Volunteer and Emergency Services of Contra Costa, which helps distribute the donated items.

"A lot of times, when these children go to school, it's noticeable that they're different, because Mom doesn't have a ton of money for school clothes and that kind of stuff. But if we can give them a new backpack, it makes them feel like they're starting school at the same par with other kids."

Five years ago, when we started this drive, we never imagined how generous and enthusiastic the public response would become. Over the past four years, readers have given enough cash and supplies to equip nearly 6,500 children.

But the need hasn't gone away. Poverty continues to be a major issue for East Bay families, affecting as many as one in three students in Alameda County, one in four in Contra Costa.

In Alameda County, donated items will be distributed by a new partner: Tools 4 School, an umbrella project of 15 agencies that work with low-income and at-risk families in the county.

Sara Lamnin, recreation coordinator of the Lincoln Child Center in Oakland, formed the collaborative last year.

"I was working to find school supplies for our clients specifically, and I became aware there were lots of people doing that ... I approached one of the collaboratives that I sit in, and said, 'Why don't we work together to stretch what little dollars we have?' "

Tools 4 School agencies will distribute donated supplies to children in low-income and at-risk families throughout the county, including foster kids, children living in homeless shelters, and those being cared for by grandparents and other relatives.

"These are people who were not planning to be raising kids and not planning to be spending money on school supplies at this time in their lives," says Lamnin.

In Contra Costa County, Volunteer and Emergency Services -- the nonprofit, volunteer arm of the Employment and Human Services Department -- will distribute donated supplies to children in the some of poorest families, including those enrolled in CalWorks and other assistance programs.

"Education is so important in potentially lifting them out of being in that status, in breaking the cycle," says Morales. "The kids, they just strap those backpacks on right here in the office and strut out, proud as proud can be."

This year, as always, Project Ready to Learn promises to be a true community effort, with families, civic groups, faith communities, businesses and even youth programs chipping in.

For the third year, the project is receiving a major boost from the Junior League of Oakland-East Bay, whose members take on the formidable task of helping to sort and transport donations.

We need your help, too.

Because all labor involved in this project is volunteer, every dollar received is spent on supplies, and every item goes directly to children in need.

That means even a modest donation to Project Ready to Learn will make a difference for a child here in the East Bay -- maybe even in your own neighborhood.

As a society, so many of the problems we face are overwhelming.

This one is an easy one.

Let's do something about it.

Sara Steffens can be reached at 925-943-8048 or ssteffens@cctimes.com.