NATCHEZ &045;&045; As a teacher, Shannon Burts knows first-hand the need many children have for decent school supplies and uniforms.

That’s one reason she believes so strongly in one of Junior Auxiliary’s biggest annual programs &045;&045; Operation Back to School.

That program collects supplies and uniforms for primary and elementary school students.

JA members usually wait until just after school starts in order to give teachers time to see what students’ needs are report those to the organization, Burts said.

But Burts already believes this year may see greater requests for help than previous years, especially since the money teachers once received for school supplies has been slashed due to state budget cuts.

Plus, Operation Back to School &uot;fits perfectly with JA’s mission,&uot; which helping meet children’s greatest needs, Burts said.

Burts is a JA member and past president who has worked with Operation Back to School and its predecessor, Operation Backpack, for five years now.

JA holds two major fund-raisers each year to help fund its programs, including Operation Back to School. The first is a 5K run held each year in the spring.

The second is a shrimp boil that will be held Aug. 28 this year at Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s Natchez campus.

Tickets can be purchased from any JA member through Aug. 12.

To make a donation, purchase tickets or suggest recipients for Operation Back to School, call Burts at 445-3763.