COALMONT, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hundreds of Grundy County students are starting the school year with brand-new backpacks and school supplies, thanks to Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee.
On Tuesday, Lee joined volunteers and school staff at Grundy County’s Back to School Bash in Coalmont.
Together, they handed out nearly 2,000 backpacks along with essential school supplies to local students.
The distribution is part of Tennessee Serves, a statewide initiative launched by the First Lady to support students in Tennessee’s economically distressed counties.
Since 2021, the program has provided more than 30,000 backpacks and school supply kits to students across the state.
This year alone, Tennessee Serves will deliver 13,000 fully stocked backpacks to nine counties, including 1,750 in Grundy County.
First Lady Lee also took time during the event to speak with families and media, encouraging students as they head back to class.
