Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, local leaders, and volunteers are set to return for the eighth annual SchoolMania event, which runs from 3 to 6 p.m. – or until supplies run out – on Friday, July 24, in the parking lot of the Jacob Building in Chilhowee Park.
As Mayor Jacobs prepares to host his final SchoolMania, this year’s event will be the most impactful in the program’s history. Thanks to the incredible generosity of local businesses, churches, charities, and community partners, SchoolMania will distribute 6,500 backpacks and 6,500 school supply bags, with each bag containing more than $70 worth of essential school supplies.
“I am excited that for the first time in the event’s history, we are also able to provide every student served through SchoolMania with a backpack on top of the school supply bag,” said Mayor Jacobs.
This year’s presenting sponsors are East Tennessee Foundation, Ole Ben Franklin Motors, Best Buy Metals, the Greenheck Group, Ice Bears Foundation, Target, and Tennessee College of Applied Technology – Knoxville.
Vehicles can enter the park at 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive and follow a one-way traffic flow to the exit on Magnolia Avenue. Event gates open at 2 p.m., but no school supplies will be distributed before 3 p.m. Mayor Jacobs will be available for interviews.
On Thursday, July 23 and Saturday, July 25, several faith-based partners will hold similar events all around the county. For more information on participating locations, visit the website.
