Giveaway for backpacks, school supplies set for Saturday in Riverside

More than 300,000 Riverside County children are gearing up for the 2024-25 school year and as families begin their annual hunt for school supplies, the financial strain can be overwhelming for many. But an event this weekend aims to ease that educational expense for parents.

The Riverside County Department of Child Support Services will host the Family Support Resource Fair on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at the agency’s branch office located at 2081 Iowa Ave. in Riverside, the agency announced.

The event will have presentations and educational sessions on child support services, community resources and job opportunities. Kids can also receive free haircuts, bicycle helmets and snacks.

Each attendee gets a bag containing county and “local parent resource” packets that contain school supplies that include writing pads, pens, pencils, crayons, markers and more, according to the county.

The Backpack Giveaway is the result of a donation by Food 4 Less/Foods Co. of $13,000 worth of ready-to-eat children’s snacks, food, water and school supplies.

Community Action Partnership of Riverside County contributed backpacks and school supplies, and Altura Credit Union also provided supplies.

Local businesses such as Salon Success are to provide free kids’ haircuts, and the California Department of Office Traffic and Safety will offer free helmets to children in attendance.

“All backpacks and school supplies will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis,” officials said.

To register for event attendance and additional information visit RivCoDCSS.com.