CHUBBUCK — An anxious crowd with a lot of young faces stood in a long line outside Gate City Christian Church Saturday morning waiting to gain entry to the sixth annual Back2School Giveaway. Backpacks and the ammunition to do battle with classwork awaited the anxious hands of 1,200 youngsters.

    “Someone got in line at 2 a.m. this morning,” assistant pastor John Robinson said.

    Robinson and about 100 volunteers wearing yellow T-shirts were ready for the crowd of parents and their children coming to Gate City Christian Church to secure a name tag, backpack, notebooks, pencils, crayons and whatever other gear they will need to excel in school this year. The church even offered “gently used” clothing for children to wear to school.

    Robinson said the event started small six years ago with about 150 children receiving school gear.

    “We just looked inside the community to see where as a church we could help,” the assistant pastor said. Meeting school supply needs became a mission.

    “Most of them are so appreciative,” Robinson said. “We get a lot of thank yous and a lot of hugs,” Robinson said, pausing for a moment before adding, “and some tears.”

    The event which combined a “shopping experience” for the youngsters was well organized. After signing in, parents could herd their children into the lines receiving name tags and handing out backpacks. Colors were selected by the children themselves. With backpack secured, children and their parent then went inside the church meeting hall where tables filled with supplies greeted them.

    Each table was manned by smiling volunteers wearing yellow T-shirts.

    Once school supplies were gathered, young students could peruse the available clothing or visit the booths outside that provided information for health screenings for hearing or vision.

    When youngsters finished with the shopping and information process, bouncy toys and crafts table and hotdog stand offered more reasons to celebrate.

    “For some families, this is the only way for them to get school stuff for their kids,” Robinson said. A still struggling local economy has made the need greater, according to the assistant pastor.

    “They've got a real good setup, parent Josh Choales said as he shepherded his boy through the crowd.

    Troy Carlson, with his son, Troy, Jr., agreed. “This is amazing,” he said.

    Shasta Kirkpatrick of Pocatello was moving her two children, first and fifth graders,  through the lines.

    “This is wonderful and helpful,” Kirkpatrick said. “It really eases the pressure financially and we're so grateful.”

    Robinson said Gate City Christian is grateful to the strong outpouring of support it received from businesses in Pocatello and Chubbuck who contributed to the school giveaway.

    “Part of being a Christian is being a servant,” Robinson said. “And we're serving a real need here.”