Parents, grandparents and students of all ages lugged wagons and arms full of school supplies back to their vehicles Saturday morning at Liberty County High School.

Lavonia LeCounte and Project Reach G.A.N.G. wouldn’t have it any other way.

Project Reach G.A.N.G’s 27th annual back-to-school rally and giveaway took place Saturday morning, with more than 70 organizations and schools manning booths to hand out school supplies and more.

“They don’t have to spend money on these things,” LeCounte said. “They can now go pay a bill. It’s very important.”

LeCounte knew the need in the county before she got on the school board, and the numbers bear it out — more than half of the county’s students qualify for free or reduced lunch “It’s all about these kids and having what they need,” she said.

School board chair Verdell Jones and the Midway Project also gave out books to families as they stopped by her tent.

“Parents can now build a library in their homes for their children,” LeCounte, who added she was glad to see cursive writing return to schools’ curriculum, said. “It’s so important.”

This year’s event moved from the LCHS track to the Donell Woods Stadium, with a twist — the booths were set up under the bleachers, in the shade and away from a roasting sun.

“That was a vision I had from last year,” LeCounte said.

With about 50 booths last year, the organizers had to find room for 70 this year, so some tents were set up outside. But it also may speak to the work LeCounte and Project Reach G.A.N.G. have done that more organizations and more people — cars came from Bryan, Wayne and Glynn counties, to name a few — come to the giveaway.

“They see a program without a hidden agenda,” she said. “I feel people trust what we’re doing. We don’t have any hidden motives.”