Chance Rubalcodo, 6, was looking through the racks of boys clothing during Kidzshop, a back-to-school shopping event held Saturday morning at the Heritage Mall. After he found a pair of pants, Chance said he was going to look for a pair of sneakers.

Inside Gottschalks, dozens of other volunteer shoppers and kids were also picking out outfits and waiting in line at the dressing rooms. Parents waited in the mall food court with donuts and coffee.

The annual event, organized by the Altrusa Club of Albany, provides low-income kids in Linn and Benton counties an opportunity to shop for school clothes. Children also were given a backpack filled with school supplies, hygiene items and a membership to the Boys & Girls Club.

About 280 kids — mostly grade school and middle school age — turned out for the shopping. There were more kids this year because Altrusa was able to raise more money. The kids were selected with help from schools and organizations including the Boys & Girls Club.

Depending on the clothing size, $100 to $125 was allotted for each child.

“It’s fabulous,” said Altrusa president Mary Harer. “Look at these kids. You can just see the smiles on their faces. It’s all worth it.”

The event, previously called ChildSpree, had been held at Mervyn’s. When the Albany store closed last year, Heritage Mall opened its doors. Altrusa members gave the event a new name, and more individuals and businesses got involved.

Gottschalks, Old Navy and Payless ShoeSource opened early for the shoppers.

“The mall really stepped up to the plate,” said Kidzshop co-chair Margie Layman. “They’ve been the best partners and the best support from the beginning. We couldn’t do it without them.”

Employees from Weyerhaeuser Company and Central Willamette Community Credit Union were some of the volunteer shoppers who got up early to walk kids through the stores.

Coastal Farm & Home Supply donated the backpacks, and Target and Sears also donated other items. Some of the other donors were Spirit Mountain, Umpqua Bank, Legend Homes and Hayden Homes.

Reporter Carrie Petersen can be reached at carrie.petersen@lee.net