For the ninth year in a row, Picayune Memorial High School graduate class of 2003 and former Arena Football League player Lorenzo Breland will be hosting the Back 2 School Bash school supply giveaway at South Side Lower Elementary.

Breland played for the Maroon Tide during high school, eventually joining the Arena Football League. He now coaches for his alma mater’s varsity football team.

Nine years ago, he started a school supply giveaway.

Breland said he started the event because while athletics in school is a good thing for students to be involved in, he knows the importance of getting a good academic background.

As such, he said he holds these events so the children in the Picayune School District attending grades first through sixth will have the tools they need to be successful.

Breland said the event will provide each child with everything they need to be ready for the coming school year, including backpacks, scissors, paper and glue. Toothbrushes were also donated for the event. Each year Breland donates some of his funds and collects donations from the community to hold this event.

The event will be held Saturday at the South Side Elementary caffetorium, located at 1500 Rosa St., from 10 a.m.  to noon. Supplies will be given away to students on a first come, first served basis.