KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Over the tax-free weekend, families will take advantage of Tennessee's sales tax holiday by shopping for back-to-school items.
Mission of Hope wants to use that time and savings to help them "Pack The Bus." The nonprofit said 2024 marks the 11th year Mission of Hope will have a bus outside the Office Max in Turkey Creek to collect school supplies. These supplies are then collected and sent to over 10,000 students in rural Appalachia.
Organizers said the back-to-school effort is important to the families that need help buying common items for the classroom.
"Every county we go to is in the bottom 10% compared to income and education," said David Heatherly, Mission of Hope's executive director. "A lot of our parents, they're making a decision on whether to buy a pencil or food for the table. If the parents don't buy the school supplies, the teachers are going to want to make sure the students start the school year off like any other children in America."
Mission Pack The Bus runs Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. EDT until 6 p.m. EDT in Turkey Creek. The nonprofit will have a list of school supplies it needs, along with pre-packed bags that can be purchased inside the store.
