Hundreds of people attended a free backpack giveaway in the North End of Bridgeport.

"You'd be surprised at the kids' parents that just don't have the money," said Mary McBride Lee, of Bridgeport. "They have to choose between a bookbag and food or paying their rent, so that's why this is important to me."

"The statement here is that every child, every student in the Bridgeport schools who needs bookbags is going to have a bookbag," said mayor Joe Ganim. "Why? Because education is so important."

Organizers say the event saw great support from the community.