Students at Hamilton's only emergency residential shelter for families are without backpacks and school supplies days before the start of the new school year.

Lisa Klinger, program director of Good Shepherd Family Centre, told CBC Hamilton Thursday that 53 children are currently without these items, with September just around the corner.

"It is challenging for a lot of our families to be able to afford these kinds of items," she said.

The Good Shepherd Family Centre helps 20 newcomer and local families who are experiencing homelessness. (The Good Shepherd)

The Family Centre offers housing to 20 homeless newcomer and local families.

"These families are facing significant barriers or challenges and this is just an additional cost," explained Klinger.

Staff are looking for pencil crayons, pencils, calculators, lined paper, pencil cases, erasers, crayons, highlighters, rulers, glue, scissors, binders, agendas, backpacks, lunch bags, reusable water bottles and containers for food.

Hamilton residents can drop off donations at its development office at 10 Delaware Avenue. It's open between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Monday to Friday.