For 12 years students from Watauga County whose families need a little help buying school supplies have come together under one roof to get what they need. It's called the Back 2 School Festival.

"Unfortunately it's a little bit empty this year, but we have got lots of boxes on every seat ready for more pencils, ready for highlighters, markers," said festival chair Kendra Sink.

"We have 40%, which is one of the highest in the state, of our students qualify for free and reduced lunch," Sink said.

The number of students coming to the festival has grown fast since its inception.

According to Every Child NC, nearly half of North Carolina students are considered economically disadvantaged, meaning family income is less than 185% of the federal poverty line. They have found that 1 in 5 school-aged children live in households below the poverty line.

Anyone who would like help can come to the festival.

"It's so good to know that the kids in this county have everything they need to go back to school," Sink said. "No one is going with their old backpack, no one is going without all the school supplies they need."

The festival provides backpacks and anything children need for class — they can even get shoes for PE.

"We will need close to 2,000 composition books in all different colors, and there are probably 15 there," festival chairperson Sandra Ruppert said.

This year they are worried that the festival will not have what is needed to help students.

It's something that has Ruppert upset.

"They come in with backpacks that the zipper is broken and things are falling out or they come in with shoes that are flapping and not the right size and they hurt their feet," Ruppert said.

Organizers are putting out a plea for help.

They have buses and drop-off points in Watuaga County where donors can bring school supplies.