POCATELLO — Local youth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will participate in several service projects later this month as part of the America250 initiative.

Kimberly Andres, organizer of the service projects, said the projects will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at the Bannock County Fairgrounds and the church building at 2925 Michelle St.

“We are doing several service projects,” Andres said. “We’re going to serve lunch at noon at both locations.”

About 200 youth are expected to attend, along with youth leaders, bringing the total to around 300 participants.

“There will probably be around 300 people in total,” Andres said.

Participants can choose which projects they take part in. One involves making feminine hygiene products for young women in other parts of the world.

“Those will be sent to Africa where they really need those,” Andres said.

Another project involves assembling hygiene kits to be donated to the Idaho Department of Corrections.

“They will give them to inmates who are returning to society,” Andres said. “We’re assembling the kits.”

Youth can also collect hearts for the school district’s suicide prevention efforts or help prepare the Bannock County Fairgrounds for the spring season.

“We’ll be cleaning and painting, whatever they need us to do,” Andres said. “It’s just a lot of projects that the youth or anyone who comes can choose. Whatever interests them.”

Andres said the church wanted to get involved with America250 and Idaho Kindness while also unifying the community through service.

“We wanted to be able to bring that feeling of unity as we serve together to support a good cause like Idaho Kindness,” Andres said. “To be able to do that locally is nice. World peace happens when you build it from the local level up.”

The whole event is sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“The Church is gathering donations and making sure the lunch is provided,” Andres said.

John Wilkes, stake president of the Highland South Stake where the projects will be held said he feels admiration for the youth in Southeast Idaho.

“We deeply appreciate their kindness, generosity and compassion,” Wilkes said. “Our young people unselfishly choose to devote hours in serving charities and individuals of need in our caring community. Services provided at the Global Youth Service Day will contribute abundantly to our area, as well as support Idaho Governor Little’s target of 250,000 acts of Idaho service toward this summer’s America 250.”