More than 1,200 free backpacks, haircuts given to Lincoln kids headed back to school

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Visionary Youth gives free backpacks and hair cuts to Lincoln kids as the school year is set to kick off this week.

Excitement was high for the 11th annual back-to-school event as participants lined up three hours before the event began.

Visionary Youth pioneers the yearly event with the partnership of the Malone Center and other community organizations.

With the help of the community, they are able to offer school essentials to households in need for free.

Visionary Youth said they gave around 1,200 haircuts and backpacks to children.

Organizers begin planning and preparing for the event six months in advance.

It’s held at the College of Hair Design, where barbers spend all day taking appointments for haircuts and styling.

Vouchers are available for individuals who sign up and don’t receive a haircut due to the high volume of appointments.

After haircuts, volunteers hand out backpacks filled with school supplies, socks and underwear, and Scheels provides a $50 dollar shoe voucher.

Outside, there is a parade with bouncy houses, a rock-climbing wall, corn-hole stations and more.

Many local food trucks also contributed by offering free food to festivalgoers.

The Lincoln community works together to make sure those in need are provided with the proper resources.

“We do it for the community, for people that are having a hard time and can’t have a choice between some jeans or a shirt,” said KB Mensah, the founder of Visionary Youth. “We can make it easy.”

Visionary Youth is always looking for volunteers to help out with this event. To learn more, visit their website.