"Come on!" Shakira Washington said to her sisters and mother as she ran towards the Los Angeles Mission, pushing a little cart typically used to wheel groceries home. Just ahead of her, an arch of bright balloons blocked off part of 5th street, food trucks awaited with boxes stacked in front of them and upbeat music played.

"I wanted to be one of the first in line," Washington explained, and it was clear from the dozens of kids behind her that she wasn't the only one eager to join in the fun.

The Los Angeles Mission held its annual End of Summer Block Party on Saturday, thanks to funding by U.S. Bank and Exaktime. For the past 14 years, the Mission's carnival-like block party has served as a way for poor kids and their families to kick off the new school year with game booths and slides.

Many of the kids in line were excited about getting popular food from In-N-Out, King Taco and the Grilled Cheese Truck that wouldn't typically fit within their families' budgets. This year the Mission served 3500 meals to families who often worry about putting food on the table. While many Angelenos may often eat out at places like In-N-Out, many of the kids at the block party could count their visits on one hand.

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The Mission also outfitted a thousand kids with backpacks full of school supplies donated by companies such as Office Depot. "We want to encourage these children to insist on going to school," Los Angeles Mission President herb Smith said in a press release. "School attendance is a key predictor of success in life…So this annual event has come to mean a lot to the Los Angeles Mission."

Indeed, the annual block party has come to mean a lot to those not only in the community popularly known as Skid Row, but also to those in the surrounding Los Angeles area. Given the rising prices of school supplies, the backpacks come as a welcome gift to families who stress around this time of year. In addition to worrying about bills, food and finding work, parents also have to worry about getting school supplies for their kids. Some families worry so much that they drive from outside downtown so their kids can get a backpack. 

Kathy Lopez, her sister and their kids, for instance, woke up at 6 a.m. for the event. They made the 30-minute trek from their home in Pico Rivera to the mission in order to arrive over three hours early.

"[Without the block party], it would be hard to get all the supplies for our kids," Lopez explained. She and her husband work full-time at minimum wage jobs, but still struggle to provide for their two sons. One of those sons is about to start middle school, and the other is not far behind.

"I just want our kids to get their necessities…with guys it's really hard since their clothes tend to wear out quickly. And I especially worry since my [middle school] son has to have all of these pens, papers and binders."

This worry was reflected in Tiffany Drake, a homeless mother of three currently trying to find housing outside of Los Angeles. Drake once volunteered at the Block Party when it first began when she was a teenager, but this time she returned as a guest, bringing her kids to get their school supplies.

"Right now, being homeless I'm thinking [of what we need]…like money is really limited, I'm still waiting on money right now, so it's kinda hard."

But Drake makes sure that her kids have a strong education, and makes sure they read daily. Her 12-year-old daughter Lajerria, remarked that sometimes it's "really hard" to balance home and school. Unlike her classmates, Lajerria has to worry about things like keeping personal hygiene when taking a bath isn't always an option.

"But I know God has a plan for me, so ever since I've been homeless I just been sticking it out." added Drake with a smile. 

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The most important aspect of the summer block party is that it allows kids like Lajerria to enjoy themselves. They had the opportunity to create their own styrofoam visors, win albums in carnival games and learn about ways to stay healthy.  

Many recognizable figures came out to help make their day memorable. Mayor Eric Garcetti, known for calling on Angelenos' homes to learn what the city needs, passed out backpacks with the other volunteers.  Other people, such as the members of singing groups like Forever In Your Mind and Filharmonic worked game booths and helped with food. Actress and singer Camryn, who is no stranger to volunteer-work, believes that the block party is great because "everyone deserves to have some fun every once in a while."

Of course, beyond the celebrities, games and good food, many kids understand the importance of education, which was part of the reason why the Washington sisters were eager to be first in line. 

"I'm really excited to get my backpack," Shakira said, "I can't wait to go to school."

Reach Staff Reporter Heidi Carreon here and follow her on Twitter here.