More than 100 children will return to school sporting more than new backpacks and shoes this fall. This year, they'll hold their heads high with fresh haircuts as they enter a new grade, thanks to an addition to the Southington Community Services smart start program.

For more than a decade, local high school students have worked with community services to provide less fortunate students with new backpacks chock full of school supplies. Families must qualify under WIC income guidelines.

This year, the newly-opened Couture Salon has teamed up with the program offering qualifying families a free haircut for kids Kindergarten through high school.

So far, 146 kids have received vouchers for a cut, said Community Services Director Janet Mellon, which helps to ease parents' financial pressures associated with buying new school attire for their children.

"It's hard on families who are just trying to get by," Mellon said. "It's such a great program and the free haircuts make it even better."

Families also receive a $20 gift card to help pay for new shoes, said Mellon.

The program is primarily run by students each year, like Southington High School students Ashley Zerbe and Melissa Reid.

The team begins work each fall by purchasing back-to-school supplies at discounted rates after school starts.

They seek donations like a recent $1,000 gift from the Calvanese Foundation and many others, and then organize each backpack by the grade and gender of the future owner.

So far more than 253 students have qualified to receive backpacks, as Ashley and Melissa prepare to hand them over to the eager students.

"Every time we hand them out it's nice to see the kids so happy about it," Ashley said. "Last year one of the kids told me it was just like Christmas. I'll always remember that."

As the girls scurry to organizing their supplies, Couture Salon owners Dean and Lisa Rodrigue find themselves just as busy clipping, buzzing and trimming at their Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike salon. They've especially opened their shop every Monday this month to make sure each child receives a hair cut.

So far a mix of elementary-school aged kids and high schoolers, as well as a mix of girls and boys have visited for their back to school do's, said Lisa Rodrigue. She said she was surprised and touched by the kids' and their families' appreciation.

"Whether it's been one child or a family of seven, the parents have all said how much just saving on a haircut can help," Rodrigue said. "I just gave haircuts to a family of five children, and when you think about it, that really adds up. It's been very rewarding."

Mellon said the town truly unites to ensure a successful program each year. From many residents making donations throughout the year, to the fire department helping to transfer supplies, to the board of education offering their building space for storage and hand outs, the backpack program has become a town staple.

"I would doubt that any other town does as much as this one does," Mellon said. "Especially the students, they work so hard at it."