Thousands of Metro Atlanta Children to Get a Head Start on School This Saturday

ATLANTA, July 8 /PRNewswire/ --

WHAT: Did you know that more than 3,000 of Atlanta's children will start school this year without the basics – school supplies, health screenings and clothing? Every year Hosea Feed the Hungry & the Homeless (HFTH) identifies children in desperate need and provides them with the means to have a healthy and successful school year at the Back to School Jamboree.

EVENT DETAILS: As a family-oriented, community event, the Jamboree will host self-empowerment/mentor workshops, dental and health screenings, diabetes screenings, the National ID program, fun activities, games, special guests and family entertainment, including Ronald McDonald, the Black McDonald's Owners Association Wheels of Dreams Youth Foundation, the Braves Mascot, and actor, Afemo Omilami.

This year's Presenting Sponsor is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia and this year's co-sponsors, include The Braves Foundation, Cox Enterprise, Aaron Rents and Amerigroup – which will lend on-site support.

WHERE / WHEN:

Turner Field, 755 Hank Aaron Drive, Orange Parking Lot

Saturday, July 10, 2010, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WHO can receive supplies, health screenings and clothing? Any child with a need can receive a backpack, health screening and clothing. The event is FREE and families are welcome to participate in the activities.

VISUALS: Witness hope on children's faces as they receive backpacks, school supplies, health screenings and clothing. Families engaging in wholesome entertainment.

HOW can you help? This year, due to the tough economy, HFTH needs the community's assistance more than ever. To make a donation, please visit www.hoseafeedthehungry.com and click on the Jamboree Donation icon – a stocked backpack costs a mere $20 and will ensure a child starts school fully prepared.

You can bring school supplies (pencils, paper, rulers, scissors, crayons, T-180 calculators, backpacks, etc.) directly to our facility at 1035 Donnelly Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA 30310. For additional sponsorship info, please contact the HFTH offices at 404-755-3353.

As the school year nears, HFTH will also dispense backpacks filled with schools supplies to selected schools within the greater Metro Atlanta area. This weekend merely kicks off their back to school supplies campaign.

About Hosea Feed The Hungry:

What began as a Thanksgiving meal, created by founder Rev. Hosea L. Williams, to show respect to Atlanta's homeless population in 1970 has grown to become, Hosea Feed The Hungry, one of the city's most vital resources that provides daily food and assistance to thousands of citizens who make up much of the South's Working Poor and Homeless.

SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia