SAN JOSE — The Kutz 4 Kidz free haircuts event in downtown San Jose, which drew hundreds on Sunday, was organized with a sports motto in mind that was made famous by Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice: Look good, feel good, play good.

“The idea is to help kids with their self-esteem,” said Dave Diggs, owner of The Barbers Inc. Barbershop on East Santa Clara Street in downtown San Jose. “With school starting, the idea is that if you look good, you’ll feel better about yourself, and you’ll do better in school.”

It was the 6th annual Kutz 4 Kidz free haircut day hosted by Barbers Inc. Barbershop. The biggest crowd for the free haircuts in the past was 150. Sunday’s event attracted well over 400 people, Diggs estimated. At least 380 people pre-registered for the event, and dozens more arrived early as walk-ins.

“It’s overwhelming and awesome at the same time,” Diggs said, reacting to the throngs of parents and children.

The free haircuts, which were accompanied by free backpacks filled with school supplies, also provided a reminder of the challenges that more than a few Bay Area residents face as an economic boom has also lifted living and housing costs.

“It’s unaffordable to live in the Bay Area, and this is a great way to give back to the community,” said Nicole Barber, a San Jose resident and single mother of three who obtained free haircuts for her children. One of her kids, Tre’von, a second grader, said he liked getting a haircut even if the trim was a reminder of being back in school.

Diggs pointed out that parents could easily save $100 or more at Sunday’s event with the free child’s haircut combined with the value of the backpack and school supplies. His regular fee for a child’s haircut is $30.

“Yes, there are a lot of jobs,” Diggs said. “But it’s also tough for families with multiple kids because of the cost of living here.”

Free food also was available: El Sinaloense restaurant provided pizzas for the attendees.

“This is really nice; it’s helpful for people who are in need,” said Aurora Benitez, a San Jose resident who was at the event with her daughter, Darla.

While some of the children seemed unenthusiastic about getting a haircut, Darla Benitez was visibly pleased to be getting shorter hair, which cascaded below her shoulders before she sat in the barber’s chair.

“It’s been hot, so I want my hair shorter and off my neck,” Darla said.

About 15 barbers provided their free services for the haircuts, the organizers said.

“We got flooded with phone calls asking about this, and even though we were full with the pre-registrations, we told people to show up early so we could help them out,” Diggs said.