Greater Grace Temple gives away a thousand backpacks at school festival

DETROIT (WJBK) - To get students ready for back to school, there was an event offering everything from a thousand backpacks to haircuts and it was all at no cost.

Excitement filled the air at Greater Grace Temple's Back to School Festival.

"You get to get new stuff and have fun and just be a kid," said student Lea Marie Smith.

Jessica Tousignant said she took off work on Tuesday so she could bring her kids to the event.

"I have three kids and the clothes, the shoes, all the school supplies are necessary for them to go back to school. It's very hard, very rough especially when you are a single parent," said Tousignant.

The event wasn't only about giving away school supplies. There were also carnival rides, lunch, story tellers, a DJ, live music, arts and crafts, vendors and much more.

Greater Grace Temple Event Coordinator Leslie Cooper says they're also offering free immunizations by the Detroit Health Department.

"If they need eye glasses the doctor is here to give a more thorough exam and then offer them free eye glasses," she said.

Organizers say they hope this event shows families the importance of education and how it can make a difference in a person's life.

Parents say they're just grateful for what Greater Grace Temple is doing for the community.

Tousignant says it's a blessing from God that they are able to do this for everybody.