Greater Parkview Church’s Back 2 School Jam promises games, food and music for those attending the second annual event this Saturday in Greensburg.

With the help of partners and sponsors, the church also plans to distribute more than 260 book bags to local students. That’s double the number of bags that were handed out at last year’s event.

Although advance registration for the distribution has ended, church minister Jared Thompson said there will be a sign-in table where families can check for any extra bags.

Open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Back 2 School event will be held at Lynch Field’s Kallaugher Pavilion. The move from last year’s venue, a parking lot at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital, was partially motivated to provide the event increased visibility, according to Thompson.

“We wanted to make it more of a community event,” he said, adding, “We wanted the kids to have a greater area for play.”

Kickball games are slated for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and there will be a water balloon toss. A disc jockey will provide music.

Families will have the opportunity to learn about services available from organizations including Head Start, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region and local day care programs.

The non-denominational Greensburg church is partnering with the Salvation Army and Jeannette’s Hopewell Baptist Church to make this year’s event happen. Other local businesses and organizations also chipped in.

“This is really a whole community thing,” Thompson said.

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