JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — As many families prepare to wrap up summer, hundreds of military families are settling into new homes after permanent change of station (PCS) moves while also facing the expense of back-to-school shopping.
To help ease that burden, Operation Homefront hosted its annual Back-to-School Brigade on Saturday, July 25, providing 200 military children in the Jacksonville area with backpacks filled with essential school supplies.
The event comes as many military families navigate the financial challenges that often accompany frequent relocations. According to the Military Family Advisory Network, one in three military-connected families has $500 or less in emergency savings, making back-to-school expenses an added strain during the busy PCS season.
Operation Homefront said the annual program is designed to support military families by helping offset school supply costs while strengthening family readiness, resilience and long-term stability.
The backpack giveaway also served as an opportunity for community members and organizations to support local military families and recognize the sacrifices they make through military service.
Each child received a backpack stocked with grade-appropriate school supplies to help them start the new school year prepared for the classroom.
Jacksonville is home to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River, making the community one of the largest military hubs in North Carolina.