VIEWFINDER: Getting Ready to go Back to School in North City

Shoreline School District parents and students packed North City Elementary School on Saturday, Aug. 27 to pick up backpacks stuffed with school supplies, free clothes and more as part of the Shoreline School District's Back to School event for low-income families.

Nearly, 1,200 people preregistered for the event and picked up backpacks stuffed with school supplies by the Shoreline Breakfast Rotary and perused donated clothing from The Works, outside the school. 

"It helps a lot," said Renzo Guzman, whose children go to Ridgecrest Elementary School and Shorecrest High School. "Every little penny you save is good."

Fernanda Gamboa came for the first time to pick up backpacks from Rain City Rotary members for her two nephews who attend Shorewood, because their mother was at work. 

Hair stylists from James Alan Salon cut hair of students who were picked out of a drawing to get a free cut.

At least six chairs had a young client at once. During the 3 p.m. time slot, James Alan stylist Maren Rosario worked on the long locks of Alejandra Hernandez, 7, who attends Lake Forest Park Elementary. 

Lake Forest Park Rotary handed out hot dogs at the end after everyone had moved through the lines. 

Donations of school supplies are collected in boxes around Shoreline for several months leading up to the event and cash donations are also taken to help buy the backpacks from a wholesaler, said Craig Degginger, the school district spokesman. 

"People really give us a lot of materials," he said. 

Families don't need to be on the free or reduced price lunch program to qualify.

"You preregister and say I'm in need of help," Degginger said.

The Back to School Consortium members who support the event include the Center for Human Services, the city of Shoreline, the Dale Turner Family YMCA, Hopelink, Ronald United Methodist Church, Lake Forest Park Rotary, Shoreline Breakfast Rotary, Shoreline Community Care, The Works of Shoreline PTA Council, the Shoreline School District and the Readiness to Learn Program, Turning Point and The Vineyard.