And finally tonight, the countdown to the end of summer break.

It's just about over.

And the state is in the midst of a sales tax holiday for all those back to school supplies.

But for a lot of families, that won't be enough to help pay for what's expected to be one of the most expensive school shopping seasons ever.

In Passaic County, education leaders are focusing on giving kids more than just pencils and notebooks to start their year off with success.

Melissa Rose Cooper has the story.

11 year old Bridi Cruz is looking forward to a couple of things this school year.

A good teacher, I guess, and good classmates.

And he's excited to get some new supplies, like notebooks and folders to start his year.

Right.

The folders you get for your homework and your other stuff in them because I don't actually have a folder.

So this would help me out a lot to keep my my homework organized.

And the notebook Well, obviously would help me write down like well, stuff, too.

That was my hope.

The giveaway is part of this Back-To-School event hosted by the Boys and Girls Club of Paterson and Passaic kids ages 5 to 13, can get everything they need to start the first day of class, like backpacks, books and school uniforms.

We've held this event in the past, but we've we made it bigger this year.

Made sure that we gave even more resources to the kids that like the uniforms and socks and sneakers.

Typically, we only hand out the backpacks and school supplies.

The event is expected to help roughly 150 families from the area.

And not only can kids get some items to the classroom.

The event also offering grooming services where students can get their hair done.

Its critical for the kids to have the resources they need to start the year, right?

You can't learn if you don't have the supplies or you don't you don't feel comfortable because you don't have the uniforms.

And we want to make sure that parents are feeling comfortable to send their kids to school.

The kids feel comfortable going to school and that everybody looks their best and is ready to go.

Since the cost of going back to school can add up, the event is also an opportunity to ease the financial strain some families face.

Bridi's mother says it's a big help for her as well as other parents.

It's very grateful for the kids because many tea, a lot of kids, they need it.

They need a like a stuff for the school, you know, because I know a lot of fathers, they don't have money to buy uniforms, to buy stuff, to buy our bags and everything.

You know, I'm I understand.

You know, right now it's very difficult because not a lot of fathers that have a job, you know, so the event is very great very grateful.

Superintendent of Paterson Public Schools Laurie Newell says she knows just how significant an event like this can be.

I remember when I was a child starting the school year with new items.

You know, it puts a boost in your step and you're ready for school.

I think it's excellent.

I think it's awesome.

It's an excellent way, actually, to start off the school year to see our youngsters here getting all the supplies that they need to start the school year so they can really hit the ground running for their academics.

Our club kids in Paterson and Passaic are awesome, right?

They they are funny and they're intelligent and they they really have so many strengths.

So today is is about making sure that they have what they need for those strengths to come to the forefront and be their best selves.

And organizers say they can't wait to do it all over again next year.

For NJ Spotlight News.

I'm Melissa Rose Cooper.