The Marion County Health Council is calling on the community to help local students prepare for the upcoming school year through its annual “Give a Child a Chance” back-to-school event scheduled for Friday, July 31, 2026, at the Chattanooga State Kimball Campus.
Organizers say the event is designed to provide essential school supplies to families across Marion County before students return to class. The distribution event will take place from 9 a.m. until noon Central Time.
According to information released by the Health Council, the goal is to collect 700 backpacks along with a wide variety of classroom supplies for children throughout the county.
Community members wishing to donate can drop off supplies at the Head Start office located at 501 Westfield Place in Jasper. Organizers also noted that Walmart gift cards are being accepted so needed items can be purchased directly.
Among the requested items are crayons, colored pencils, glue sticks, markers, pens, notebook paper, composition books, binders, folders, mechanical pencils, note cards, highlighters, scissors, and spiral notebooks.
Requested donation totals include:
- 700 composition books
- 700 colored pencil packs
- 700 folders
- 700 note card packs
- 700 highlighters
- 375 glue sticks
- 375 wide-rule spiral notebooks
- 350 college-rule spiral notebooks
- 350 binders
- 350 scissors
- 350 marker packs
- 350 pen packs
- 375 packs of wide-rule notebook paper
- 350 packs of college-rule notebook paper
- 375 mechanical pencils
Health Council officials say the effort is aimed at easing the financial burden many families face during back-to-school season while helping students start the year prepared and confident.
For monetary donations or additional information, community members may contact Julie Tiller at julie.tiller@svheadstart.org or Alexis Foster at Alexis.Foster@tn.gov