Getting kids ready to head back to school: Milwaukee festival provides backpacks, supplies for kids

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A back-to-school event held in Milwaukee on Saturday, August 9th that's all about giving back.

The goal is providing backpacks full of school supplies for more than 5,000 Milwaukee kids.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Back-To-School Festival ran from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday.

This is the 20th year organizers have hosted the event.

Much of the event is aimed at helping families get ready for school that may need a little help -- but there's still plenty of time for fun.

"Just having these wonderful occasions where we can fellowship, the children are having fun, the gospel tent, we're eating, kids will get school supplies, be able to play games, and just have a wonderful day in the park," founder Elizabeth Coggs said.

The backpacks and school supplies were donated by the community -- and sponsors like the Milwaukee Bucks and Potawatomi Casino.