NORTH KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Some kids have already kicked off their school year, while others are just days away from the end of the freedom of summer.

On Saturday morning, Wallace Memorial Baptist Church in north Knoxville held their 12th annual "Christmas in August." The event helps get hundreds of kids ready for the start of classes.

Parents and kids got the chance to pick out the traditional school supplies like pens, pencils, and rulers that will hopefully last the year. Kids also picked up hygiene items.

For many families getting ready can be a trying time. Folks struggling to pay bills means the necessary school supplies may be too much for them to afford.

But the giving spirit can come to the rescue.

"It kind of warms our heart and breaks our heart that there's this much demand in our neighborhood for this service," said Dale Maddox, a church member.

The church starts planning and collecting supplies and donations in the spring.