Free school supplies on Sunday

Verizon Authorized Retailer, TCC to give away backpacks at Cd’A, Post Falls stores

Families are invited to drive or walk up to Verizon Authorized Retailer, TCC stores in Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday for free backpacks packed with school supplies during the School Rocks Backpack Giveaway.

TCC and Wireless Zone stores at more than 800 locations are donating 140,000 backpacks to kids across the country, marking more than one million backpacks given away since the event was first held in 2013.

Stores in Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls will donate 200 backpacks per location, one backpack per child. To limit the number of people at the event, children aren't required to be present to receive the backpack. Backpacks will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

"It touches home, because my wife is a teacher. She teaches fourth grade,” James Cross, district manager for the Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls stores, said Thursday. "Especially in these trying times right now, a lot of people may not be working or may be putting their funds into savings or somewhere that matters more. This is our opportunity to give to the community to make sure they have their supplies and they're ready to go."

In addition to the backpack donations, TCC will award five $10,000 college scholarships as a part of its Big Impact program. Students in kindergarten through 12th grades are eligible for entry and can be registered during the backpack giveaway event. Entries will be accepted Sunday through July 31.

"It's part of our Culture of Good," Cross said. "We're hugely behind this."

Normally, the giveaway events would feature on-site celebrations with barbecues, live music and entertainment, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will be held outside and people will be expected to respect social distancing. Cross said staff members will have images of the backpacks for students to choose which color they'd like, and the packs will be brought out to them.

"These are not janky backpacks. They're really nice with cool colors," Cross said. "This year, wow, it's even better."

The Coeur d'Alene store is at 430 W. Hanley Ave. The Post Falls location is at 3760 E. Seltice Way.

“It’s our favorite time of year as a TCC family. We love helping students obtain essential supplies before they begin their school year each summer,” Scott Moorehead, CEO of TCC parent company Round Room, said in a press release. “To have been able to donate more than one million backpacks to our nation’s youth in the eight years of this event is incredible, and I couldn’t be more thankful for our store locations, employees and customers for helping us continue to do good in our operating communities.”

Info: www.tccrocks.com