St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ironton wants to make sure area youth have the tools needed to build a solid education.

The church will host a "Tools for Schools" school supply giveaway program for needy children of Ironton and surrounding Lawrence County.

The giveaway will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 6 at 101 S. Sixth St. in Ironton.

With approximately 11,000 people living in Ironton, 23.1 percent of the population is living below the poverty line, according to church officials.

Of the total population living in poverty, 32.4 percent are under the age of 18.

"We realized that we were not meeting the needs of the community. So, we have attempted to provide services to meet those needs this year," said Mike Poole, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church.

During the 2003-2004 school year, the Ohio Department of Education determined that more than 40 percent of the students in the Ironton, Rock Hill, Symmes Valley and Dawson-Bryant school districts are

economically disadvantaged.

In August 2004, St. Paul Lutheran Church held a back-to-school clothing giveaway.

It was during that program that the congregation realized the true back-to-school need for children in the area - school supplies.

After checking with local agencies, congregations and residents, it was determined that clothing was readily available in the area, basic school supplies were not.

Many of these students begin the school year without basic school supplies and a backpack or carrying case, Poole said.

Many teachers provide these students with basic supplies paid for out of their own pocket.

St. Paul Lutheran Church is collaborating with several other congregations and organizations that will be collecting items and providing volunteers for the event.

For information on how to donate items or volunteer, contact Poole at (740) 532-4727.