With classes starting Monday in the San Diego Unified School District, hundreds of families received free backpacks and school supplies Saturday as rising prices put additional financial pressure on them. The back-to-school event held in the parking lot of O’Farrell Charter School in Encanto wa s one of a few events, providing assistance to families across San Diego County, this weekend. That included food distributions and information about healthcare resources. “Everything goes up but the paycheck,” said Mark Davis, a father of five children. He brought his family to the 14th Annual Backpack Giveaway and Family Resource Fair hosted by State Senator Dr. Akilah Weber Pierson. “I have to pay for gas, rent, bills, and food (for all of us). It’s a struggle day-to-day, but you gotta get up and make it,” Davis said. Families in line, Saturday, to receive free backpacks with school supplies at an annual giveaway in Encanto, August 8, 2026. Families lined up in the early morning heat in the school parking lot, seeking some relief from the costs of preparing children to return to classes for the fall semester. It was hosted by California state Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson. Her team of volunteers and sponsors provided 600 free new backpacks filled with school supplies to families in the 39th District, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck. The event also connected families with free health resources. Weber Pierson, who is also a medical doctor, said it is important for residents to know where they can seek assistance as cuts stemming from federal legislation affect services they have relied on. “I know the cuts that are coming as a result of some of the legislation, and it’s important for people to know where they can go if certain things are no longer accessible for them,” the senator told NBC 7. Graciella Miranda, 9, shows the light blue backpack she chose for school, August 8, 2026. Food assistance was also available, Saturday, in Chula Vista. A couple of San Diego County supervisors helped distribute boxes containing 40 pounds of nonperishable food along with fresh fruits and vegetables. The Board of Supervisors found funding for what it calls the Safety Net Bridge program to help address programs that has been lost. The county estimates more than 93,000 people will lose their CalFresh benefits this year, creating another strain on household food budgets. Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe said the food distribution can provide families with more than nutrition. “I know it’s a food line for people to sustain themselves with nutrition, but I also know it can give other people hope.” County Supervisor, Paloma Aguirre (white jacket), helped volunteers distribute food, Saturday, to people in danger of losing their Cal Fresh benefits because of federal funding cuts, Chula Vista, Calif., August 8, 2026. For Jose Miranda, father of four children, finding different sources of assistance has become necessary for his family. “Just making minimum wage both (me and my wife) gotta work. We find different resources by calling 2-1-1, and sometimes we gotta find activities like this,” Miranda said. On Saturday, free backpacks for his children helped make a difference. The county’s Safety Net Bridge program will continue this fall with additional food giveaways and funding to help people access health care services. This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication. ...read more read less