By Christian Coffman

NATCHEZ — School is just around the corner, and two groups are making certain students have the school supplies they need.

Members of the Sanders Law Firm and the Zeta Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority are sponsoring their first Back 2 School Bash this weekend.

The free festivities will be from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Providence Park playground on River Terminal Road.

Legal assistant Jakeria Brown said one reason the law firm is hosting the bash is because some children cannot afford school supplies.

“We want to give parents something to not worry about,” Brown said.

Interim County Prosecutor Aisha Sanders is the chairwoman of the backpack committee for the sorority.

“I thought, ‘Why don’t we have a fun day. How about we just have something fun … and do something to give back,’” she said.

Sanders said the goal of the bash is to inspire other people to do something for the community.

“There are people in the school district who can’t afford school supplies, and this is how they’ll get them,” Sanders said. “This is me just trying to help in whatever way I can.”

Brown said the event is open to anyone, even if they do not need school supplies.

The backpack giveaway will start at approximately 12:30 p.m. and continue into the afternoon.

Sanders said participants must register beginning at noon to ensure one backpack per child is available.

Brown said a dunking booth, a large hamster ball, two bouncy houses, a water slide, laser tag and a game truck with the latest game consoles are planned.

Hamburgers, hot dogs, snow balls, popcorn, cotton candy and other food will be served.

“It’s going to be kind of like a carnival-slash-backpack giveaway,” Brown said.

Sanders said a DJ will be providing music for the event.

“He’s going to play a little bit of everything,” Sanders said. “Dance music, old-school music for adults. It’s going to be a family-oriented (event). It won’t be anything exclusive.”

Brown said local businesses and community members have donated supplies for the event.

“Some people that I didn’t even ask have been dropping stuff off at the office,” Sanders said.

Sanders said so far she has collected 350 backpacks.

Sanders said she hopes the event will grow over time and turn into something children look forward to near summer’s end.

“Hopefully (it will) get other people in Natchez interested,” Sanders said.