NORTH PORT — While many organizations have collected money and clothing, cleaning supplies and more for the victims of Superstorm Sandy which ravaged the northeast last month, a local woman is collecting something many may not have thought of as an immediate need — backpacks and school supplies for the children of Long Beach, N.Y.

“They’ve lost schools,” said Mary Noonan of North Port. “Four elementary schools are to be split between two (remaining ones). Some may reopen after Christmas. And the middle school is going to the high school.”