Tennessee Serves Distributes Backpacks to Students Across Hardeman County
Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee’s Tennessee Serves initiative provided new backpacks to students in Hardeman County and other economically distressed counties across the state this year as part of an effort to help students prepare for the new school year.
Every student enrolled in a distressed county school district received a backpack through the initiative this year, totaling more than 15,300 students across Tennessee.
Hardeman County was among 11 counties whose students received brand-new backpacks. Other participating counties included Bledsoe, Clay, Cocke, Grundy, Hancock, Haywood, Lake, Perry, Pickett, and Scott counties.
“The backpacks available to every student in Hardeman County through First Lady Maria Lee’s Tennessee Serves initiative are more than just an investment in our students’ success,” said Hardeman County Schools Director Dr. Christy Smith. “By ensuring every child begins the school year with a new backpack, this generous gift helps remove barriers for families, promotes confidence, and allows students to focus on learning from the very first day of school.”
Since 2021, Tennessee Serves has provided new backpacks to students in Tennessee’s economically distressed counties each year. Over the past six years, more than 47,000 backpacks have been distributed through the initiative.
“Providing backpacks to students in rural Tennessee over the past six years has been a joy and pleasure,” said First Lady Maria Lee. “As a former educator, I know the pressures families face at the beginning of the school year, and we are grateful to be able to alleviate a small burden on Tennesseans. It is our hope that these backpacks help students enter the school year with confidence.”
Dr. Smith said the backpacks can make a difference for families facing the expenses that come with the beginning of a new school year.
“For many families, back-to-school expenses can be challenging,” said Dr. Smith. “Receiving a quality backpack helps ease that financial burden while ensuring students have what they need to stay organized and prepared throughout the school year. It also sends a powerful message that our students are valued and supported by communities across Tennessee.”
The backpack distribution is coordinated with Tennessee Serves’ July monthly challenge, which focuses on ensuring Tennesseans are prepared for another successful school year.
This year’s contribution marks the final partnership between Tennessee Serves and Family Resource Centers to distribute backpacks to students in the state’s economically distressed counties.
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