NASHVILLE — As Harveys customers prepare to send their children back to school next month, the hometown grocer is offering its shoppers in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina an easy way to provide free educational equipment and supplies for their local schools.

Now through Aug. 21, shoppers enrolled in the Harveys Hometown Educational Rewards program will earn double points to help support their schools by using their Harveys Rewards Key and purchasing specially-marked participating products.

Additional offers and coupons for qualifying products will also be made available through Harveys Key-osk, weekly Keymail and Mobile Club. Sponsors for this promotion are my essentials, Campbell’s, Kimberly-Clark, Georgia Pacific and Post.

“At Harveys Supermarkets, we are committed to making a positive impact in our local communities, and we are proud to offer the Harveys Hometown Educational Rewards program again this year,” said Barry Robinson, vice president of Harveys and Reid’s stores.

Each time a customer shops with their personal Hometown Rewards Key card, their schools of choice automatically earns points towards $250,000 in free educational equipment. This money is divided between schools through a points system for the year, and a customer may select up to two schools for the program.

All customer grocery purchases will earn credit for their designated school with the exception of alcohol, tobacco products, money orders, gift certificates, sales tax and stamps. Throughout the academic year, schools redeem the accumulated points in exchange for free educational items from the Harveys catalog. Items include, but are not limited to, books, computers and sports equipment.

Last year, Harveys donated more than $1 million to schools in the program. To sign up for the program, go to www.harveys-supermarkets.com.