More than 40 children living in the Road Home Shelter and other affordable housing are in need of back-to-school supplies and clothing. The kids need everything from first-day outfits to colored pencils, spiral notebooks and everything in between.

Educators Mutual Insurance Association organized a campaign to collect needed items for underprivileged kids.

Faux-apple trees have been set up at the South Towne Center, Salt Lake City and West Valley City Staples stores, DownEast Outfitters locations along the Wasatch Front and the lobbies of FM100 and Educators Mutual.

Participants are invited to pick an apple, which includes the name of a child and his or her needed back-to-school items.

The campaign runs through Aug. 18. Then, supplies will be delivered to the children in time for their first day of school.

"We created the program to give these deserving children a boost and provide a convenient way for the public to help them during this challenging time," said Christie Hawkes, Educators Mutual vice president of corporate communications.

Last year, the Apple Tree campaign collected more than 500 items for needy kids, including at least one new outfit for every child at the Road Home Shelter.