Helping to lessen the financial burden of buying school supplies, members of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Marietta will hold the Tools 4 School giveaway on Saturday, Aug. 10. The giveaway will take place at the church, 1290 River Road, Marietta, from 9 to 11 a.m.

Suzette McCarty, who is organizing the event, said the faces of the students who come in are unforgettable. "You can see how much the students - and the parents - appreciate it," she noted. "School supplies are expensive, and when you have a family with two, three or more students, it really hits them hard."

Students of all ages are invited to come to the giveaway and get what they need. "Students first pick out a backpack. We have different colors and different sizes," McCarty said. "Then they go down the line of school supplies filling their backpacks. We have pocket folders, (paper) tablets, colored pencils, crayons, markers, pencils, pens, rulers, erasers." Students may also browse used books and select a free book or two.

This is the church's 16th year for the giveaway, which is always well-received by the community, McCarty said. More than 150 students received backpacks and school supplies last year.

"We want to be sure everyone has tools to help them succeed in school," McCarty remarked. "This is a great opportunity to help students get ready for school."

There is no registration for the giveaway, she noted, adding that people can just show up on the day of the event. Supplies and backpacks are donated by congregation members, as well as community members and organizations. Zion's fraternal insurance agency, Thrivent, provides financial assistance to purchase supplies as well.

Tools 4 School is one of the main ministry programs at Zion. The church also hosts Prime Time, held at noon on the first Tuesday of the month. Open to adults in the congregation and the community, the program provides lunch followed by bingo with prizes.

Both Prime Time and Tools 4 School allow the church members to play an active role in Marietta. "It's important to Zion to reach out and connect with our community," McCarty said.

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church holds worship services at 10:15 a.m. on Sundays. For more information, visit www.zionmarietta.org.