The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center and the Four Hearts Foundation are teaming up for a back-to-school kids’ clothing drive and giveaway, collecting gently worn clothing for children of all ages in Newport County.

The Four Hearts Foundation will host the donation portion Sunday, Aug. 9, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Portsmouth Playground, 153 Turnpike Ave., Portsmouth.

The giveaway follows Friday, Aug. 14, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the MLK Community Center, 20 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd. in Newport. Families should use the Edward Street entrance. The giveaway is open to all Newport County residents.

For more information, contact the MLK Community Center at 401-846-4828.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...