Representatives from the reading department teamed up to hold a handout in front of the school

Two Reading officials joined forces Wednesday to host a back-to-school resource fair just in time for the new school year.

State Representative Manny Guzman, D-Redding, partnered with Redding Mayor Eddie Moran to provide information about state programs and free school supplies to hundreds of students preparing to return to the classroom.

The event also featured several other perks for those who came to the event.

Spring Township’s Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank provided grocery bags, and the Barber Institute of Redding gave students free haircuts.

Maria Laviena smiled proudly as she watched her 7-year-old grandson, Wilson Rosario, get a haircut while sitting in a chair on a crowded sidewalk in downtown Reading.

The Northwest Elementary School first-grader was getting the finishing touches on a new look from Angel Ordonez of the Barber Institute of Redding.

“Oh my god, I never expected anything like this,” Lavienne said as her grandson squirmed a little in his chair. “Getting a haircut is a real break and I’ll tell people to take part in it next time.”

Eboni Armstead, who was packing some book bags for her children, took one look and wished she had known about the free haircuts.

“I would bring my girls so they could get a little haircut,” she said. “It’s a wonderful thing they do for the kids. Reading is a really great city to just come and enjoy this event.”

Guzmán said he was happy to participate in organizing the event.

“I am excited to partner with Mayor Moran to help low-income families prepare their children to return to school,” Guzman said.

A number of local organizations spoke at the resource fair, including Alvernia University, Reading Community College, Albright College, Visions Federal Credit Union, All American Homecare, Reading District Water Authority and the Reading Parking Authority.