Parents are invited to participate in The Salvation Army’s back to school program for Niles, Buchanan and Cass County residents in grades 1-12.

Backpacks will be pre-packed with age-appropriate materials such as notebook paper, pens, pencils, crayons, glue, erasers, folders, spiral notebooks and other items, which have been donated by area businesses.

This program is held in hopes that it will lighten the burden of getting children ready for a new school year.

The public will be invited on a walk-in basis July 25-29 from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. At that time, come prepared to show I.D. for a custodial parent or guardian, Social Security cards for the child and proof of what school the child will be attending in the fall.

The backpacks will be distributed at a later date and participants will be given a day and time to pick up their packages.

The Niles Salvation Army is located at 424 North 15th St., Niles.

For more information, call 684-2660.