Although it's only July, a Stratford business is getting a head start collecting school supplies to help kids and their families.

Mellow Monkey is holding a back-to-school supplies drive.

"We've got loads of composition books, pencils, erasers, markers," says Howard Aspinwall, the store's owner.

Aspinwall says he and fellow small business owners are working together in partnership with the Stratford Board of Education. A record number of families have signed up to receive supplies this year.

"The Mellow Monkey has a long history of being involved in the community, and our customers also are very much involved in helping in the community. So, it's great when we come together and just be able to do something like this. I mean 900 students with book bags is a lot of students, but we think that together with our customers we're going to be able to do it," he says.

Supplies can be dropped at the store on Sniffens Lane until July 28. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday