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One of the country's biggest back-to-school giveaways happens this week
Three year old Saria Amaya waits with her mother after receiving shoes and school supplies during a charity event at the Fred Jordan Mission.
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MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images
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For three decades, families in need have turned to the Fred Jordan Mission to get much needed supplies for the school year. Over the years, the annual back-to-school giveaway has become one of the largest in the country.
It's happening again — for the 30th year — this week. Organizers say up to 5,000 children will get clothes, shoes and other items.
"Most of the children who will come to our back-to-school new clothing giveaway have never owned a pair of new shoes of their very own," Willie Jordan, president of the Fred Jordan Mission, told KPCC.
On Tuesday, volunteers will sort thousands of donated items, and Thursday they'll hand them out at the mission, located on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. Kids who come can also get a free haircut.
Corporate partners have helped fill the need but the Mission could still use new blue jeans and backpacks. If you want to help, there's still time to get those donations in.
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