Hundreds of people stood in line Thursday for donated school supplies for kids whose families may not have been able to afford them.

More than 1,000 people are estimated to go through the Salvation Army’s Back to School Fair. During the fair, school supplies collected through the United Way of Greater St. Joseph’s Stuff the Bus program were distributed to help give children whose families may not be able to afford it the tools they need for the upcoming school year.

Salvation Army Major Abe Tamayo said it’s a much needed resource in the community.

“Children in need are as essential of any other person and we want to give them an even playing,” Tamayo said. “We want to help break the cycle of poverty and help a family out or a single mother, whatever the event may be to assist these children.”

Around 700 children were signed up for the fair.  Tamayo said there are hundreds more who were not signed up that will go through Thursday and Friday.

Last weekend around 300 volunteers helped to collect school supplies from the community with the Stuff the Bus campaign at both Walmart locations.  23,234 school supplies and nearly $1,800 were donated.  Then earlier this week volunteers spent time sorting and packing backpacks for the distribution.

“There are little kids who need to start school with all the supplies that they need and some people their income is already stretched as far as it can go and to add school supplies for two or three children could mean their lights didn’t get paid that month or something,” Hobson said. “It’s very important for those families whose budgets are just stretched as far as it can go.”

The school year begins Monday, Aug. 17 in the St. Joseph School District.