An event was held at Franz Sigel Park Sunday to give kids a positive way to interact on the basketball court - and get them prepared for school.

The groups that organized the back-to-school giveaway, barbecue and basketball games say many families are struggling, and that the event was a way for them to help out the community.

School supplies like backpacks, binders and notebooks were available for parents to take home for free at the event,

The barbecue and co-ed basketball game gave the children an opportunity to get to know each other.

Ronald Joyner was one of the organizers of the event. He is also the CEO of the Hood Therapy Podcast. Joyner says it dives deep into mental and emotional health, elevation and personal development.

"A lot of these children, they walk past each other, and they don't say anything to each other. There's no bond in the community, so I figured if you put the kids in a setting like this, it could possibly deter a situation in the future. 'Oh, I know this guy. I played basketball with him. Oh, I know this guy, I was at the barbecue with him,'" Joyner says.

Sunday's event was sponsored by Joyner's podcast and Drink Champs, another podcast by rapper Noreaga and DJ EFN.

The organizers say their goal is to get the kids in the right mindset at this age and to take care of themselves.