MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Several organizations hosted back-to-school giveaways Saturday, hoping to ensure every child is prepared for the first day of class.

Many parents say these events are filling a massive need in the community. 

“They have pencils, rulers, folders. All kinds of stuff the kids need to go back to school,” Sharita Smith said.

Smith has been hard at work making sure her daughter and relatives are fully prepared for the first day of class. 

“I went to Tanger outlets last weekend. Then, this weekend I came here. Then, I went to Methodist as well,” she said.

Saturday morning, she stopped at Tiger Lane for the city of Memphis and the Dreams Foundation’s seventh annual Back to School Backpack Giveaway and community festival.

“They got these backpacks. These cool, little neat, little backpacks. You can pick whatever kind you want,” Smith said. “It’s a lot of struggling families that do need this help right now, and I’m one of them that’s a struggling family that needs this help.”

Hundreds of parents and students showed up in preparation for the new school year.

Of course, not everyone is looking forward to the first day.

City of Memphis Communications Operations Administrator Keenan Lowery says the goal was to give away 1.000 backpacks filled with supplies.

“People need this and to see them here like this, there’s more work to be done,” Lowery said.

The city of Memphis was not the only entity giving away school supplies. Dozens of organizations across the city of Memphis conducted their giveaways. 

“It’s important that we have some in different zip codes or different churches. It’s kind of a way of the community owning our block, owning our area,” Lowery said.