TYLER, Texas — More East Texas school districts are returning to the classroom this week and leaving behind all the summer fun.
On Sunday, Suitcase For Life hosted a back-to-school supply drive to help families. The organization handed out backpacks, school supplies and snacks.
"Not having to actually get out and go and do it is nice," said parent Aangel McKenzie. "I'm really grateful for that, just for them, just to be out here, especially in the heat, while it's hot, that's a big help."
McKenzie has four kids and comes out every year to take advantage of what the organization has to offer.
"I'm really grateful that the community does this every year for the kids, so it really helps out a lot because when buying school supplies, especially for more than one, it does get a little costly, so anything and everything helps," McKenzie said.
This was one of many school drives hosted across East Texas ahead of the first bell.
"I feel like we serve a lot of people, because a lot of times we get a van full of people, and so whenever they pull up in the van, we're giving them out, like, five backpacks, or four backpacks at a time," said program coordinator Chastity Daniels.
Daniels saya Sunday's event was meant to relieve some stress for parents who might be on a budget or don't want to go through the hassle of back-to-school shopping.
"It definitely saves on time. I mean, just going in the stores, especially when school school time, it gets a little crazy. But just to be able to go out and just for people to be doing this is just amazing," McKenzie said.
For a list of back-to-school dates for East Texas districts, click here.