Share Our Selves hands out 4,000 backpacks for new school year

Share Our Selves handed out about 4,000 new backpacks stuffed with binders, notebooks, paper, pencils and more Saturday during its annual back-to-school distribution.

For about four hours, families visited the BESST Center in Costa Mesa to collect their backpacks and supplies. They also could visit with other community service providers and resources.

The event, in its 23rd year, provides scholastic items to needy children and families in Orange County.

Share Our Selves provides health, wellness and social services at centers countywide.

“All children should have the supplies they need to start school on an equal footing with their peers,” SOS Chief Executive Karen McGlinn said in a statement. “Our program is here not just to give students backpacks, pencils and paper but to show them that the community cares about their futures and put them on the path to success this year and beyond.”