back-to-school event | Giveaway set

NOW Youngstown is partnering with Youngstown City Schools to sponsor a back-to-school celebration featuring a giveaway of book bags filled with school supplies.

When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Covelli Centre, downtown Youngstown.

Added attractions: The event also will feature free food, carnival games and music.

Other details: Volunteers will pack book bags about 5 p.m. today at Trinity Fellowship, 4749 South Ave., Boardman. The cost of a backpack is $8; monetary donations to assist the project may be sent to Heart Reach Ministries, P.O. Box 778, Youngstown, OH 44501. Checks, noting the backpack giveaway, should be made payable to Heart Reach.

Joint effort: NOW Youngstown is in a cooperative effort with C.I.R.V. (Community Initiative to Reduce Violence), Youngstown Police Department, social-service agencies and Valley churches to sponsor summertime Increase the Peace Rallies in high-crime areas. The final rally will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Taft Elementary School, 730 E. Avondale.