Elgin church holds free back to school fair

An Elgin church is planning a free back-to-school event that will arm needy kids with supplies and work against gang violence in the area.

Higher Call International Ministries' "Back to School Bash" will be held at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the church, 205 Fulton St.

The event, youth pastor Jeremiah Edwards said, will begin with a prayer session focusing on ending violence.

It will be followed by a performances by the church's youth praise team, mimes, poetry readings by Chicago religious poet Marco, and a meal.

Chicken wings and various side dishes, Pastor Glen Prince said, have been donated by JJ Chicken and Fish in Elgin.

At the event, which is free and open to the public, children will receive free school supplies as well as certificates to buy supplies, donated by members of the church and Elgin residents.

"We call it an investment in the community," Prince said.

Prince said so far 75 people have signed up to attend the bash, but more are expected at the door.

"This is just to do something to keep our youth out of trouble, to motivate them to keep themselves on the right track," Edwards said. "You look at the rate of kids dropping out of school ... we want to do something positive."