Volunteers at the Chevrolet in New Rochelle gave out backpacks to nearly 1,000 children – just in time for the new school year.

The event is being hosted by Hope Community Service, a nonprofit that helps underprivileged families through services such as its extensive emergency food pantry and soup kitchen.

The kids got to fill their backpacks with all kinds of supplies, like paper, pens, binders and crayons.

The kids were also enjoying water slides, music, rides, a fire truck and burgers.

Local leaders, including state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, came out to speak today.

"I hope today's event lets people know, little kids know, that there is a community that cares about them, about their success, interested in making sure their school experience is great because we know that education is the great equalizer and if they do well in school, they will do well in life," says Stewart-Cousins.

An official from Hope says the organization will continue holding outreach programs throughout the rest of the school year targeting students in need.

One program is dedicated to giving away meals to students who are dependent on school lunches when school is out of session.