Families in eastern Clearwater and Safety Harbor heading into the new school year without enough notebooks, pencils or binders can get help from a supplies drive tied to three performances of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" at Ruth Eckerd Hall on Friday and Saturday.

The Marcia P. Hoffman School of the Arts and the Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center expect to collect enough donations to outfit more than 400 students, according to David Hale, the center's executive director.

"Thanks to this outstanding effort by Ruth Eckerd Hall and our community partners, Mattie Williams Center will help more than 400 students get set up for academic success this year," Hale said in a July 9 announcement of the partnership.

Pinellas County Schools students return to class Aug. 11, giving families just 10 days after the first performance to get supplies sorted.

Drop supplies at the show, no purchase required

Audience members attending the Duke Energy-sponsored summer musical can drop new school supplies into donation bins in the Ruth Eckerd Hall lobby before or after the show. The center is asking for composition notebooks, colored pencils, crayons, glue sticks, No. 2 pencils, spiral notebooks, three-ring binders, pencil pouches and lined paper.

Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday. The Hoffman School's production features a cast ranging in age from 7 to 70, with student musicians 16 and older performing the score from the orchestra pit.

Center has served three cities for 25 years

The Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center, based at 1003 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N. in Safety Harbor, has served families in Safety Harbor, Oldsmar and eastern Clearwater for more than 25 years. The nonprofit provides K-8 education services, family support and a food pantry, operating with a staff of 20 and more than 40 regular volunteers.

The Hoffman School's arts education programs reach more than 60,000 students annually, according to Ruth Eckerd Hall.

Tickets run $10 to $15

Tickets cost $15 for reserved seating and $10 for students and military with photo ID. They are available at the Raymond James Central Ticket Office at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 N. McMullen Booth Road in Clearwater, by phone at 727-791-7400, or online at RuthEckerdHall.com. The ticket office is open Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 6 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from noon to 6 p.m., plus two hours before showtime.