For the second year in a row, area churches have come together to help students get ready for the upcoming school year by providing much-needed supplies.

Saturday, the group organized a “Pack the Bus” event where area residents and businesses could donate the supplies to fill 600 backpacks. The event was held in the Wal-Mart parking lot, where organizer Kerry Castleberry, along with Ashley Tyson and Myra Maddox, and a team of volunteers, worked to take donations and supplies.

“It’s something we felt that needed to be done,” Castleberry said of the effort. “There’s a lot of people in the community who can’t afford to buy these supplies for their child or children. This is our way of helping.”

Castleberry said those wishing to receive a backpack for the child must obtain a voucher from the Christian Service Center. The backpacks will be given away on Aug. 4, from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m., at the Kiwanis Building.

“We’re going to give them away until all 600 are gone,” she said. “All we ask is that you bring a voucher and your child. We’ll have all sorts of events like a bounce house and the Meredith’s Miracle characters for a good time.”