A Louisiana church has helped hundreds of families prepare for the new school year by offering free haircuts, school supplies and meals to children.

True Vine Missionary Baptist Church hosted its fourth annual 'Community Cutz' event on Monday, bringing together volunteer barbers, beauticians and community groups to ease the financial burden on parents.

Church deacon Steven Chark said 10 barbers and two beauticians volunteered their time, with the aim of providing free haircuts for 150 students before they returned to school.

The church also partnered with the Southern University Rapides Alumni Chapter, which distributed free school supplies and books, while members of the Ezekiel Iota Chapter of the Xi Phi Epsilon Christian fraternity served free chilli dogs to children and parents.

Organiser Willie Chark said the event was designed to support families facing rising living costs.

“Right now, people are having a hard time making ends meet, and if we can provide a free haircut, or braid a little girl’s hair, or something like that, just to relieve some of that pressure and pain, that’s our ultimate goal,” he told KALB-5.

The annual outreach is part of the church's efforts to serve the local community ahead of the start of the school year.