School supplies bring smiles at the Modesto Gospel Mission

While getting back-to-school supplies can sometimes be an unwelcome task for students, the kids at the Modesto Gospel Mission’s annual backpack giveaway were all smiles Saturday morning.

“It’s so exciting to get to choose from all the backpacks, and they have stuff in there,” said 11-year-old Marleece Sanchez of Modesto, while proudly carrying off her new bag.

Her 11-year-old friend Syenna Williams came with her to the event and had her own new backpack slung over her shoulder.

“I like that the community is doing something so nice like this,” she said, with a broad smile.

The sixth annual Back 2 School Block Party attracted more than 1,000 school-age children, and their parents, to the gospel mission for free backpacks, new shoes and fresh haircuts. Families had gathered since early Friday afternoon to be among the first for the first-come, first-serve offerings. By the time the event kicked off at 10 a.m. Saturday, the line snaked through and around the gospel mission parking lot.

Organizers of the event were worried only days earlier that there would not be enough backpacks to go around. At the beginning of the week they had fewer than 600 backpacks, half the number they handed out the year before. After putting out a public call for help, the donations began flooding in and the group was able to purchase hundreds of additional bags. Modesto Gospel Mission Director of Development Anastasia Carroll said they gave out some 1,100 backpacks filled with school supplies as a result.

“We’re thankful for the outpouring from the community,” Carroll said. “We couldn’t help them without it.”

In addition to the backpacks, the gospel mission served up more than 2,000 hot dog lunches, offered free haircuts and – for the first time – was able to dole out new shoes. The event also has a carnival-like atmosphere each year with music, games, face-painting and even clowns.

Some 145 volunteers donated their time to the event. Some come back year after year.

This is 54-year-old Modesto volunteer Kelly Willis’ third year helping out at the block party. But it’s the first year she has had a chance to hand out the backpacks personally.

“You meet so many needs doing this,” she said. “To see kids get something that they need just moves me.”

Among the volunteers were four hairstylists from Salon Chez Beau in Modesto. They offered free professional cuts and styles to get the students looking good for the first day of school.

“I love volunteering my time, and I enjoy knowing how it feels to have great hair,” said stylist Debbie Perry, who also volunteered last year.

Among those getting a haircut was 7-year-old KiMonte Chambers, a Modesto second-grader. He requested a mohawk, but settled for a faux hawk because his hair was too short to spike up. His mother, Ruth Helms, watched as the stylists gave him a careful trim.

“I feel like it’s a blessing to have this. People are so generous,” said the 32-year-old mother. “I’m so grateful.”

KiMonte agreed from the stylist’s chair.

“I liked playing the games and being able to get a backpack,” he said. “But the best thing was just spending time with my mom.”

This story was originally published July 25, 2015 at 2:29 PM with the headline "School supplies bring smiles at the Modesto Gospel Mission."