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REIDSVILLE — Parents, you might want to rethink that trip to the mall for back-to-school shopping. You could find everything you need this weekend at West End Baptist Church — free of charge.

For two hours Saturday, the church’s youth ministry will host a clothing and school supply giveaway. Students younger than 18 also can receive free haircuts.

The church has the clothing giveaway twice a year, and the school supply giveaway is held annually, said youth adviser Yolanda Johnson. This is the first year the church has offered free haircuts.

The giveaway will have clothes of all sizes for men, women and children.

“People leave with shopping bags full of clothes,” Johnson said.

Children will receive prepackaged bags of school supplies that include notebooks, paper, pencils and crayons. Parents are encouraged to bring their children with them so each child can receive a bag. If the children don’t come, the parent will only receive one bag of supplies, Johnson said.

Other churches also are helping students prepare for school. Leaksville United Methodist Church in Eden will hold its fourth annual school supply giveaway from 9 to 11 a.m. Aug. 22.

Connie Whitt, co-chairwoman of the church’s family life committee, said the church gives about 300 bags of supplies to children every year.

“It’s just a huge outpouring from our congregation,” she said.

Church members package supplies according to grade level. Bags are available for elementary, middle and high school students. Whitt said the church has provided supplies to students in all the Rockingham County Schools as well as some in Virginia.

First United Methodist Church in Eden will hold its second school supply giveaway from 9 to 11 a.m. Aug. 22. Jean Hall, coordinator of the children’s ministry, said 91 children received supplies last year. That event supports children who attend Draper Elementary School.

Spray United Methodist Church in Eden will hold a back-to-school carnival from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 20. Hot dogs will be served and school supplies given away. Book bags will be given to the first 30 students.

Faith in Families of Reidsville, which provides mental health services, will give away book bags full of school supplies to Rockingham County students from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 21.

Supplies are guaranteed to the first 100 students. Children will be entered in a drawing to win a $300 voucher to buy school clothes, said Joyce Ollison, clinical director for Faith in Families.

Parents who can’t make one of these events and need help buying school supplies should contact their child’s school.

Contact Jonnelle Davis at 627-4881, Ext. 126, or jonnelle.davis@news-record.com