BAKERSFIELD,CA- The first day of school is just two weeks away for most students in Bakersfield. To get students prepared, Bakersfield First Assembly handed out 1,700 backpacks stuffed with supplies.
"The first day of school kind of sets up the school year so we want them to have their best foot forward. We want them to just start out the school ready to go," said children's pastor Shawna Banning.
Event coordinators expected 3,000 students and their families to stop by and also get free haircuts and immunizations.
"Everyone wants a new hair cut, every wants a new backpack and school supplies so we're just trying to meet the need of our city," said Banning.
Back to school shopping is one of the leading shopping events of the year.
According to the National Retail Federation, people are expected to spend nearly $75 billion on back to school related items. The average family with children in K-12 grades will spend more than $660 on clothes, school supplies and electronics.
"Grateful that they have people out here that you know help kids, you know, to make them feel like they have everything that the other kids have when they don't have it," said attendee Julia Stevens.
"They help people out that don't, that don't have enough money that they're able to come here and give backpacks for free and they give you supplies and it's helpful that they do that," said student Chloe Taylor.
The backpacks and school supplies were donated by the church and local businesses.
"The first day of school kind of sets up the school year so we want them to have their best foot forward. We want them to just start out the school ready to go," said children's pastor Shawna Banning.
Event coordinators expected 3,000 students and their families to stop by and also get free haircuts and immunizations.
"Everyone wants a new hair cut, every wants a new backpack and school supplies so we're just trying to meet the need of our city," said Banning.
Back to school shopping is one of the leading shopping events of the year.
According to the National Retail Federation, people are expected to spend nearly $75 billion on back to school related items. The average family with children in K-12 grades will spend more than $660 on clothes, school supplies and electronics.
"Grateful that they have people out here that you know help kids, you know, to make them feel like they have everything that the other kids have when they don't have it," said attendee Julia Stevens.
"They help people out that don't, that don't have enough money that they're able to come here and give backpacks for free and they give you supplies and it's helpful that they do that," said student Chloe Taylor.
The backpacks and school supplies were donated by the church and local businesses.