NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Today, Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee announced her initiative, Tennessee Serves, provided new backpacks to every student in Tennessee’s distressed counties.
Since 2021, Tennessee Serves has provided more than 32,443 new backpacks to students across Tennessee. This year, 12,711 students in distressed counties received a backpack from the First Lady’s initiative.
“We are honored to provide new backpacks for students across rural Tennessee because every child deserves to start school confident, equipped, and ready to succeed,” said First Lady Maria Lee. “For many families, this program lifts a burden, and for students, it sets the tone for a strong school year ahead. It is my hope that each backpack would serve as a reminder to each student, family, and distressed county that Tennessee sees, supports, and believes in them.”…