A north Clanton church will give away 100 free backpacks filled with school supplies during a special event this weekend.

Bell Lane Baptist Church will host Backpacks for Christ on Saturday from 1-3 p.m. at the church, located at the corner of Bell Lane Road and Lay Dam Road near I-65 Exit 212.

The first 100 children to register will receive a backpack with basic school supplies to get them started for the new school year. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. and is open to all students K-8.

Each backpack will also contain a New Testament Bible, said church member Felicia Martin.

“Right now we have 100 backpacks ready to go,” Martin said. “Basically, it’s to help people in need and also to present the Gospel. You’ve got to reach people with their needs first and show them that you care about them.”

This will be the first year for the Backpacks for Christ program. Martin had a vision for the event last year when she saw backpacks on sale in a local store.

Those who attend can also receive a free haircut, free toothbrush and toothpaste, and free health checks for vision and hearing.

The event will begin and end with fun music, skits and drama. Hamburgers and hotdogs will be served and door prizes given away.

“If you’re in need, we want to help you,” Martin said.

For more information, call 755-4882. If there is no answer, please leave a detailed message.