The Better Business Bureau of Greater Columbia & Charleston is inviting consumers and businesses to protect their personal information and give back to local students during a free shredding event and back-to-school supply Drive on Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 10 a.m. to noon at the BBB Administrative Offices, 440 Knox Abbott Drive, Cayce.

The free event allows community members to securely dispose of sensitive documents and other materials that could put personal or financial information at risk. Attendees are encouraged to bring old bills, credit card records, personal paperwork, floppy disks, CDs and other items containing information that should be securely destroyed.

“Properly destroying documents you no longer need is a simple but important step in protecting yourself from identity theft,” said Chris Hadley, president and CEO of BBB Greater Columbia & Charleston. “This event makes it easy for our community to safely dispose of sensitive information, and we’re excited to add a back-to-school drive that allows everyone to help local students at the same time.”

In addition to shredding documents, BBB is asking attendees to bring new school supplies for local students. All donated supplies will be distributed to local schools to help students have the tools they need for a successful school year.

Suggested donations include backpacks, notebooks, folders, pens, pencils, crayons, markers, glue sticks, highlighters, loose-leaf paper and other new classroom supplies.

Shredding services will be provided by Shred360. Each vehicle may bring up to three copy-paper-size boxes or three kitchen-trash-size bags of materials for shredding. There is no need to remove binders, binder clips, paper clips, staples or rubber bands. CDs and DVDs can also be shredded, and Shred360 will accept opened prescription medication bottles for disposal.

“Whether you have a box of old financial records that needs to be destroyed or a backpack and school supplies you’d like to donate, we encourage you to stop by,” said Hadley. “In one convenient visit, you can take steps to protect your identity while making a positive difference for students in our community.”

For more information about the event, visit the BBB event page or call BBB Greater Columbia & Charleston at 803-254-2525.