As the new school year approaches, a coordinated community effort is underway to make sure local students have the supplies they need on day one. The Salvation Army Tucson, Fry's Food Stores and KGUN 9 have launched the Back-to-School Backpack SOS (Support Our Students) School Supply Drive, a community-wide campaign running from July 6 through July 26. Donations are being accepted at participating Fry's stores throughout Southern Arizona.
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The campaign invites shoppers and community members to drop off items at convenient Fry's locations across the region. Organizers emphasize that the drive is specifically aimed at helping children from families facing financial hardship, with collected supplies distributed by The Salvation Army Tucson prior to the start of classes. The partners say the effort is designed to reduce the extra burden that many families experience as the summer ends and the school year begins.
Requested items cover the basic classroom essentials that teachers and students commonly rely on. Donation organizers are looking for new backpacks as well as notebooks, binders, folders, pencils, pens, crayons, colored pencils, glue sticks, rulers and other typical school supplies. Community members who prefer to contribute financially are also able to make monetary donations to support the program and the purchase of needed materials.
Major Andres Espinoza, Tucson City Coordinator for The Salvation Army, spoke about the aim of the drive and the strain many families face. "Every child deserves the opportunity to walk into the classroom feeling prepared and confident," he said. "For many families, the rising cost of school supplies creates an additional financial burden. Through this partnership with Fry's and KGUN 9, our community can help remove that obstacle and give local students the strong start they deserve."
Organizers note that this annual campaign has a long-running presence in Southern Arizona and has helped thousands of students over the years. Each partner plays a defined role: Fry's provides the on-the-ground donation points inside its stores to make it easy for shoppers to give, The Salvation Army handles collection and distribution to families in need, and KGUN 9 supports the effort by raising awareness across the community.
Beyond filling backpacks, the drive is structured to provide children with the tools that allow them to begin the school year focused on learning rather than worrying about basic materials. Supplies gathered through the drive will be packaged and distributed ahead of the first day of classes so recipients can start school prepared. In addition to in-kind donations, monetary contributions help organizers purchase items that may be in short supply or meet specific needs as distribution plans unfold.
Community members who want to participate are encouraged to visit any participating Fry's in Southern Arizona between July 6 and July 26 to drop off donated items. The Salvation Army Tucson will oversee distribution to ensure supplies reach local children before school begins. Those who cannot donate supplies but wish to support the effort financially can contact The Salvation Army for details on how to contribute.
A student holds a donated backpack while volunteers and other children line up during the Salvation Army, Fry’s and KGUN 9 Back-to-School 'Backpack SOS' supply drive in Tucson.
The Salvation Army Tucson’s official event page lists the local Backpack S.O.S. drive running July 8 through July 28 and notes donation drop-off hours at its Tucson office are Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the office address and phone number provided for inquiries.
KGUN 9 describes this year’s campaign as the 20th annual Back-to-School Backpack S.O.S. drive and reports that last year the program provided supplies to about 100 children.
KGUN 9 also notes a related TCC Verizon backpack giveaway scheduled for 1–4 p.m. on July 31 at four Tucson locations: 4758 E. Sunrise Dr.; 1580 E. Tucson Marketplace Blvd., Ste. 160; 7056 E. Golf Links Rd.; and 7245 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Ste. 135.