QUINCY, ILL. -- In less than two weeks, students across the Tri-States will be back in the classroom.

Saturday in Quincy, much of the area's less fortunate families got some relief when it came to getting school supplies. It's the city's biggest back to school fair put on by 22 community churches and organizations, so much in demand that the first family to enter the fair had camped out since 4:20 in the morning, almost four hours before  the event began.

"It's unity of the community that comes together to make this happen for the families in need," said Maxine Bassett, an event organizer.

From book bags, to the pencils and paper inside them, to back to school hair dos, kids from pre-K to high school were able to check everything off their list, all within an hour's time. Not to mention months worth of donated clothes and lines of shoes for all ages.

"There are children that are so much in need of clothing and we run out of clothing so very fast," said Sheila Latchison, who ran the clothing drive at Walter Hammond.

And because you can't get into school without one, students could even get their physicals on the spot.

Take this fair away from these families and many would be looking at hundreds of dollars out of pocket. This year's need was so great, organizers had trouble keeping items on the tables.

"We have run out maybe toward the end, but not in the middle," said Bassett.

A sign of tough times as more families look for help in their community.

Last year, Quincy's back to school fair aided 650 families and helped 127 more later in the year. This year, the fair brought in more than 750 families.

If you missed out or would like to donate, you can contact the First Baptist Church in Quincy at (217) 223-4468.