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LANETT — At Monday’s meeting of the Lanett City Council, Council Member Tony Malone encouraged parents of school-age children to take advantage of book bag giveaways that will be taking place in Lanett and Valley on Saturday.

Both events will be getting under way at 10 a.m. ET.

The Lanett giveaway will be at the L.B. Sykes Community Center and the one in Valley at Rehobeth Baptist Church.

The event is being hosted by Valley Community Outreach (a.k.a. “The Village”).

“On Saturday, Aug. 1, we will be giving back to the community with our first annual Back to School Drive,” said The Village spokesperson Bridgette Wilson. “We will be giving away 200 backpacks filled with school supplies. Mack sure your family will be at one of our two locations, at L.B. Sykes in Lanett and Rehobeth Baptist Church in Valley.”

Wilson said she and other members of The Village are aware that there are uncertainties about the start of school due to the spread of COVID-19, but they want to do what they can to help local school children be prepared.

“We are excited to help local families be as prepared as they can,” she said.

It’s a good idea to get there early since it will be a first-come, first-serve distribution.

“It’s a free event and 200 children will be getting book bags filled with school supplies,” Wilson said.

Wilson added that all school children must be accompanied by an adult.

“We won’t be delivering,” she said. “All we are asking is that you come by vehicle. You won’t have to get out. All you have to do is pop your trunk, and we will do the rest. We will be wearing masks, and we are asking everyone coming to do so as well.”

The L.B. Sykes Community Center is the former Lanett Junior High building. It’s located on Cherry Drive in Lanett.

The giveaway in Valley will be on the lower parking lot of Rehobeth Baptist Church, located at 206 Huguley Road in Valley.

“If you have any questions about what we are doing with The Village, don’t hesitate to contact us at TheVillage.vco@gmail.com,” Wilson said. “Anyone who would like to donate to us to help with our community causes can do so via the cash app at $TheVillagevco.”

The Village is made up of adults who grew up in the Valley, have always loved the community and want to give back to it.