CLARKSVILLE, TN − Although summer is still in full swing, national nonprofit Operation Homefront hosted an event Saturday, July 12, to ensure local military kids can put their best foot forward in the new school year. The organization delivered 600 backpacks filled with essential school supplies to local military children as part of Operation Homefront’s annual Back-to-School Brigade.

The Back-to-School Brigade distributes thousands of backpacks to military children across the country, easing the financial burden of the season for their parents and fostering a sense of community and excitement for students as they head back to class.

School shopping season is stressful for any parent, but for military families, it often comes right on the heels of a major move. These families are relocating while juggling deployment or training schedules and trying to help their children adjust to yet another new school. On average, military kids change schools 6–9 times between kindergarten and graduation. The Back-to-School Brigade program is about more than just pencils and notebooks, but about easing financial stress, helping children feel confident, and building a sense of belonging and community, even when everything else feels unfamiliar.

Since 2008 Operation Homefront’s Back-to-School Brigade has provided nearly 600,000 backpacks to military children, saving families more than $60 million in back-to-school expenses.

The Back-to-School Brigade is made possible through the generous support of Southern New Hampshire University, Dollar Tree, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Hilton Grand Vacations, Food Lion, Northrop Grumman, RTX, Town House Crackers and Tractor Supply Foundation. Local sponsors also include UBS, Zoeller Pump Company, Walmart, and Alliance Bernstein.