1,200 backpacks were ready to be given away at First Pentecostal Church's second annual backpack giveaway on Saturday
 / KTVO's Tess Hedrick
OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Not only is it a sales tax free weekend, but kids grades K through 5 lined up to receive backpacks full of school supplies on Saturday thanks to the First Pentecostal Church in Ottumwa.
Lines of parents and kids were out the door of the church for the second annual backpack giveaway.
Those in charge of the event said last year’s numbers were huge so they were prepared to give away even more backpacks this year; 1,200 backpacks in all colors filled up an entire room.
They wanted to make sure not one kid was left out.
“And at the end of the backpack line we’re going to be handing out haircut coupons for $5 so children can get their haircut. There’s a lot of cost in getting your children back into school. You got school supplies, and haircuts and school clothes so we're just trying to help out,” said Lisa Mullikin, First Pentecostal Church.
Mullikin added that in these economic times it is especially important to help others.
The backpacks were purchased through the church and donated by other donors, as well.