Thousands of students and parents in Newark waited in line despite the rain for free school supplies and backpacks provided by Staples Saturday.

Five thousand students will start the school year with new bags after Staples gave the Newark Public Schools district 2,500 backpacks last year. The backpacks range in size for students of all ages and save parents about $50.

The bags were stuffed with other free supplies, including bookmarks from the Newark Police Department.