Lehigh Community Services plans to give away 225 ack book packs filled with school supplies. But to be eligible to get the free book bag, you must sign up y Friday, August 6.

That’s the word today from Charlotte Rae Nicely, executive director of Lehigh Community Services who said the book bags are again being donated by New Life Assemblies of God Church. Also, this year the Christ United Methodist Church is supply certificates for students to purchase a pair of sneakers before school resumes next month.

Nicely said that the agency has been handing out back to school supplies for years, long before she became head of the agency. The agency used to also give away school clothes but she said now that the First Presbyterian Church is giving away back to school clothes and that if your children need help to contact them.

Nicely also said families that apply for school supplies must be ready to give financial information because the supplies are given on a financial need only.

“It is mandatory that families sign up by the Aug 6 deadline,” Nicely said. “We only have so many book bags and even fewer sneakers. The school supplies are for students from first to 8th grade only.”

The pick-up date is on Thursday, Aug. 12 from 2 to 4 pm. And the families must present and ID to get the school supplies, Nicely said.

The book bags will contain pencils, folders, notebooks a rules, a pack of markers, scissors, a glue stick, two packs of Crayons, an eraser and a highlighter plus two blue pens and one pencil sharpener, all items the children will need, Nicely said.

She offered thanks to those who have donated to make the School Supply giveaway program possible. In addition to new Life Assembly Church, others include the Moose Loge, the First Presbyterian Church, Christ United Methodist church and several individuals.

If you would to donate to the project, call Nicely at 369-58818. That is the same number for families to call to get the book bags and sneakers, she said.

The pickup point is at Lehigh Community Services at 1262 Wings Way, just off of Beth Stacey Blvd. The address is new but the building is the same as in years past.

“When the 225 number is reached, that is the cutoff,” Nicely said.