HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Epique Realty Mississippi hosted its annual backpack and school supply drive on July 14, handing out free bags filled with basic classroom necessities to area children as families prepare for the upcoming school year.
Community turnout and purpose
Volunteers and staff distributed backpacks containing notebooks, pencils and other staples to families attending the event. Organizers said the program is designed to reduce the financial strain of back-to-school shopping and to help students begin classes ready to learn.
The drive took place during the state’s summer lead-in to fall classes and close to Mississippi’s tax-free weekend for school supplies, an annual time when families can save on purchases for the new school year.
Organizers and community message
Realtor Audreina Newell, part of Epique Realty Mississippi’s team, said the supplies provide more than tools for learning; they give students confidence and families one less expense to manage. Designated Broker Natalie Graham emphasized the collective nature of the effort.
“If it's one person, if it's one family, one parent, if everybody comes together as an initiative in the community, we can all make a difference. That's what we're here to make a difference for the parents and the children and give them what they need in our community,”
Organizers described each backpack as a visible reminder of community support and an investment in student success.
How local efforts add up
Community-driven events like this are part of a broader patchwork of local supports that reduce barriers for students and families. Schools and nonprofit groups across the region regularly coordinate similar drives timed to coincide with back-to-school sales and tax-free weekends to maximize impact for households stretching tight budgets.
- Who: Epique Realty Mississippi and volunteers
- What: Annual backpack and school supply distribution
- Where: Hattiesburg, Miss.
- When: Reported July 14, 2026
For families who missed this event, local schools, churches and community organizations often host similar drives in late summer; parents are encouraged to check school district announcements, local nonprofit calendars and social media for upcoming distributions and tax-free weekend details.
| Item | Typical contents |
|---|---|
| Backpack | Notebooks, pencils, basic classroom supplies |
| Volunteer support | Onsite assistance, friendly interaction |
The drive underscored a simple message from organizers: small acts of generosity, multiplied across neighbors and businesses, help ensure children head into the school year with the tools they need to succeed.
