2,000 Kids To Receive Free School Supplies In Echo Park

ECHO PARK (CBSLA.com) — Two-thousand school children from impoverished Los Angeles neighborhoods will receive free school supplies in Echo Park on Saturday as part of the Dream Center's 15th annual "Back To School Bash."

Starting at 10 a.m., the volunteer organization will give away 2,000 backpacks, each filled with school supplies such as pencils, paper and notebooks.  The event is open to families with income of less than $15,000. Many are coming from neighborhoods such as Echo Park, Rampart District, Skid Row, Lincoln Heights, South Central and Watts.

Children at the event can also receive free health screenings, dental checkups, haircuts, as well as clothing and groceries. Entertainment will include face painting and a petting zoo. Clippers forward Blake Griffin and Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw will also be on hand to meet children and help distribute school supplies.

Many families began lining up early on Saturday morning to take part.

"This is a blessing for parents like me," said Wendy Ortega, a mother from Lincoln Heights who arrived at 4:30 a.m.