News Summary
Families across East Tennessee gear up for the upcoming school year with various supply drives and community events.
Knoxville – The back-to-school season is fast approaching for families across East Tennessee, with schools in Knox County, Blount County, and Oak Ridge preparing to welcome students back for the upcoming academic year. Knox County Schools will begin their school year on Thursday, August 7, 2025, while Blount County Schools are scheduled to start earlier on July 31, 2025. Oak Ridge Schools will kick off their academic year even earlier, returning to classes on July 28, 2025.
To assist families in need of school supplies during this busy season, several events are being organized across the region. These initiatives include free supply giveaways and donation drives designed to help children in the community prepare for the upcoming school year.
Key Events to Support Students
12th Annual Pack the Bus Drive (Knoxville)
This event will take place from July 25 to 27, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hosted by the Mission of Hope, the Pack the Bus Drive will be held at Turkey Creek during the tax-free weekend. The initiative aims to support over 10,000 Appalachian students through supply donations and giveaways. Community members are encouraged to participate by donating school supplies, with drop-off and pickup services available at OfficeMax on Parkside Drive.
NAACP Back to School Fair (Oak Ridge)
The NAACP Back to School Fair will take place on July 26, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. This event, organized in collaboration with United Cleanup of Oak Ridge, will provide free backpacks and supplies to families at the Scarboro Community Center on Carver Avenue. Attendees can also enjoy complimentary hot dogs and chips provided by Mary Lou’s Food Truck, making the event not only educational but also enjoyable.
SchoolMania (Knoxville)
SchoolMania, another major event taking place on July 26, 2025, will feature sessions from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Organized by Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs with faith-based partners, the event will offer free school supplies for children in preschool through 12th grade. The event will be held at the parking lot of the Jacob Building in Chilhowee Park. Last year’s SchoolMania distributed over 6,000 backpacks and 7,000 bags of supplies, underscoring the importance of this community initiative.
Shoes for School (Knoxville)
Shoes for School, now in its 23rd year, is set for August 2, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Organized by the Knoxville Area Urban League, this event will provide school supplies and new shoes to students, ensuring that they are well-equipped for the school year ahead. The event will take place at Covenant Health Park, where volunteers will be on hand to support students and families.
Additional Information for Families
Parents can find further details regarding school supply lists and transportation options by visiting the Knox County Schools website. The first day of school in Knox County will be a half-day, providing a gentle transition back into the academic routine. Additionally, detailed schedules for elementary, middle, and high schools are available online, along with a bus stop locator feature that helps parents find their child’s designated stop and pickup times.
The back-to-school season in East Tennessee aims to provide families with the support they need for a successful start to the 2025 academic year. With several resources and events, community members are encouraged to participate and help make this school year a wonderful experience for all students.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Tennessee’s Annual Tax-Free Weekend Kicks Off
Knoxville’s Leadership and Development Progress in July
SchoolMania Returns to Knoxville with Record Supply Giveaway
House Fire Displaces Residents in East Knoxville
Columbia University Takes Action Against Pro-Palestinian Students
Record-Breaking School Supply Drive in Knoxville
Harvard Challenges Federal Funding Cuts in Court
University of Tennessee Launches Exclusive Sports Network
Tennessee School Tax-Free Weekend Eases Shopping Burden
University of Tennessee Ends Partnership with China Scholarship Council
Additional Resources
- WBIR: SchoolMania Returns
- WATE: Knox County School Mania
- Knox News: Knox County Schools Calendar
- Knox Focus: Knoxville Focus for July 21, 2025
- MSN: WellPoint Tennessee Offering Free Supplies
- Wikipedia: Education in Tennessee
- Google Search: Knoxville school supplies
- Google Scholar: School supplies initiatives
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Back to School
- Google News: Knoxville back to school events
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
