The Yucca Valley Center for Change will give away free backpacks to school-age children on Thursday, August 23. Backpacks and the basics needed for the first day of school will be distributed to school-age children, age 5 and up, from 4 to 7 p.m. Parents must sign up for the event by Monday, August 20. Call Tonya Linde at 760-369-1074. The Yucca Valley Center for Change is located at 58945 Business Center Drive, Suite N, in Yucca Valley.