Homeless Children Get Back To School Boost

DENVER (CBS4)- Free school supplies and services were handed out to some students in the Denver metro area on Saturday.

The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Healthy Kids Fair helped some children get ready for the classroom at the Stout Street Clinic.

They received services like teeth cleaning, vision testing, immunizations and even haircuts to get off on the right foot for the first day of school.

"I got here at eight o'clock. We stood in line for about an hour and we made it in by 8:30," said parent Pamela Stancil.

Stancil brought her four children to the clinic for some of the services and free back to school supplies.

"We are a low income family. We can't always afford backpacks," said Stancil. "Right now we're kind of in a shelter."

Staff at the clinic are excited to help those who need it most.

"Every way we can help them to be a little more prepared for the school year is really what we want to do," said Dr. Margi Schulte with the Stout Street Clinic. "It's wonderful. The work we do day in and day out is challenging. A lot of people with an immense amount of dental need as well as medical health need. It's really fun on this special day to see these families together and all these kids get the services they really need."

Children received a book bag full of supplies for their age group.

"This is my first year so I can only imagine they can be expensive especially if you have more than one kid," said parent Natasha Forest.

The free back to school fair is in its 20th year. In recent years there has been an increased need for services.