Photos: Backpack Giveaway Event at New Seasons Church

More than 1,000 families in the Spring Valley area were served on Friday morning, as the lined up outside New Seasons Church, 2300 Bancroft Drive, to receive a variety of donated items for the back-to-school-season.

Backpacks which were filled with necessary school supplies were given away for free to school-aged children. In addition, various organizations set up booths giving away other donated items, including toothbrushes and toothpaste, markers, crayons, stickers, used children's books, and more.

A pizza and apple lunch was provided as the final event in the church's Summer Food Service Program, which fed more than 200 less fortunate children every weekday throughout the summer, according to organizer Angela Kretchmar.

"This is the end of our program," she said. "We served food at over six sites... so this is our way of wrapping it up and really giving the kids something that they can take with them."

Kretschmar also wanted to remind the community that New Seasons will be holding its annual block party in November, where they will be giving away free turkeys and lots of food and clothing.

"We just love to give stuff away!" she said.

The event was sponosred by Heaven’s Windows, Neighborhood Healthcare, Care 1^st Health Plan, Mt. Miguel Covenant Retirement Village, SD Youth Services, San Diego Country Library Casa de Oro, WIC Red Cross, Family Health Center, First 5, and New Seasons Church.