INDIANAPOLIS -- School on Wheels is pleading for help from the public to keep the organization on the road to helping needy children.

The nonprofit group, which provides uniforms and supplies to homeless children, is in dire need of donations to keep its mission going, 6News' Julie Pursley reported.

The Coalition for Homeless Intervention and Prevention said there has been a 78 percent increase in the number of homeless families in Indianapolis, and that staggering figure is perhaps no more evident than on the front lines of education.

School on Wheels is trying to help as many families as possible, but the situation has gotten to the point that the organization will have to turn some people in need away.

"There's so many people in need that we just don't have the supplies to stock all of the requests," said Tiffany Silgalis, of School on Wheels. "It's drastically jumped this year compared to last year in people needing help and needing supplies."

The stockroom for school uniforms, backpacks and other classroom essentials, such as folders and markers, is very low.

School on Wheels helped 90 children in the last two weeks in four shelters, but it still has seven more shelters to serve. When employees walked in Monday morning, they were greeted with five new requests for help.

"The number of families where it is mom, dad and the kids is definitely on the rise," said Carrie Murphy, of School on Wheels.

School on Wheels hopes Hoosiers will get together with friends, employees and churches to organize school supply drives.

"We have a huge need for backpacks and supplies, like loose leaf paper, folders, markers," Murphy said.

School on wheels has so few supplies for high school girls that it is handing out men's clothing to them just to get by.

The organization accepts supplies and cash donations to spend on needed items.

School on Wheels can also be contacted at 317-202-9100, at 2815 E. 62nd St., Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46220 or on its Web site.