Saving Our Youth is doubling up its efforts with the second annual back to school drive, giving away 1,000 backpacks compared to 500 last year.

“We do this to ease the load for parents and also there are less things that parents have to worry about buying for their children,” said Lashonda Martin, founder.

The giveaway will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, at Washington Park in Troy.

In addition to the school supply giveaway, the event will include free food and drinks and vendors. Vendors include Sno Biz, Colorstreet, Naja Spiller custom handmade jewelry, Papparrazi, Craft and Play T-shirt Designs, The Soap Shop, Irie Diva Designs, Sade’s Gifted Hands and Virtual Reality World.

Saving Our Youth helps families in need. Some services of the organization include a basketball mentoring team, GED preparation testing and tutoring, adopting families for Christmas and Thanksgiving, annual scholarship banquet and more.