Bridgeport (AP) — More than 3,500 Connecticut students from low-income areas will be getting free backpacks filled with school supplies as they return to classes over the next few weeks.

Goodwill Industries of Western Connecticut, a nonprofit organization based in Bridgeport, is distributing the new backpacks and supplies over the next several days.

Goodwill has been giving out the backpacks since 2009, and this year's total of 3,500 is 1,000 more than last year's.

Students who will get the free backpacks attend WISH School in Hartford, Kendall Elementary in Norwalk, Shelter Rock School in Danbury, Silver Lane Elementary in East Hartford, Duggan School in Waterbury, and three Bridgeport schools: Longfellow, Waltersville and Beardsley. 

The backpacks and supplies are being distributed starting Monday and continuing through Sept. 7.