Pacoima students start school year with free backpacks, shoes

Friday, September 2, 2016
PACOIMA, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Hundreds of students from a Pacoima school got to start the school year off right, with free backpacks, school supplies and other goodies donated by local businesses and a nonprofit.

The students at Vaughn Next Century Learning Center entered school on a red carpet cheered on by staff members. They were given backpacks, school supplies, books and new shoes. They also got to have free dental checkups and eye exams.
[Ads /]
The items were donated by local businesses and arranged by the nonprofit MEND - Meeting Each Need with Dignity.

For more on the event, see the video above.
Copyright © 2026 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.