YMCA of Central Kentucky rallies to give away backpacks to more than 5,000 kidsPhoto by: LEX News(LEX NEWS) – The YMCA of Central Kentucky is hosting its annual Back-to-School Rallies, distributing free backpacks filled with school supplies to more than 5,000 students across the area. The rallies, presented by Setzer Properties, provide elementary, middle, and high school students with free, full-size backpacks and school supplies. The cost of basic school supplies is up about eight percent this year, according to the Century Foundation. There are also people who struggle to do that, because they are providing for basic needs,” said Jessica Berry, the vice president of community impact with the YMCA of Central Kentucky. Since the program started in 2011, more than 52,000 backpacks have been given to Kentucky kids.