News Summary
Columbia is gearing up for a supportive back-to-school season with two major backpack giveaways organized by Round Room and BeMobile Verizon. Round Room will host its 13th Annual Backpack Giveaway on July 27, distributing over $3 million worth of supplies. BeMobile Verizon will follow with its giveaway of 150 free backpacks from July 29 to 31. Various community events aim to ease financial burdens on families as the school year approaches, coinciding with South Carolina’s Annual Tax-Free Weekend in August.
Columbia is gearing up for a supportive back-to-school season as Round Room and BeMobile Verizon prepare their annual backpack giveaways. Round Room, a Verizon Wireless retailer, is hosting its 13th Annual Backpack Giveaway on Sunday, July 27, at 1 p.m. This initiative aims to alleviate the financial strain associated with back-to-school shopping, providing essential supplies to families in need. In total, Round Room will distribute over $3 million worth of backpacks across the United States.
The event will take place at various participating locations in Columbia, including:
- 851 Highway 378, STE 104, Lexington, SC
- 1100 Dutch Fork Rd. STE G, Irmo, SC
- 113 Heritage Dr., Newberry, SC
- 1221 Chapin Rd. STE G, Chapin, SC
Following this, BeMobile Verizon will host its own giveaway, providing 150 free backpacks for local families from July 29 to 31. These backpacks can be obtained at their store located at 2100 S. Columbia Road, Grand Forks, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. while supplies last. This giveaway operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no pre-registration required.
BeMobile is set to distribute over 5,000 backpacks filled with essential school supplies such as notebooks, folders, rulers, and writing utensils. Notably, these backpacks cater to all age groups, including college students. Additionally, during the same period, customers can register in-store for an opportunity to win a $500 Back-to-School Shopping Spree, comprising gift cards totaling $500.
This event signifies BeMobile’s inaugural backpack giveaway across 23 expanded communities as part of its 25th-anniversary celebration. BeMobile operates out of its headquarters on the upper level of their store at 2100 S. Columbia Road, Grand Forks, and serves not just North Dakota but also operates in 11 other states including Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Maine, Virginia, Maryland, Arizona, and California.
The anticipation for the upcoming back-to-school season is further heightened in Columbia with the South Carolina Annual Tax Free Weekend scheduled for August 2-4. This tax-free event is expected to draw families looking to stock up on school supplies without the added financial burden of sales tax.
In addition to the backpack giveaways, there are numerous other back-to-school events planned in Columbia for August 3:
- Back-2-School Bash at 3007 Broad River Road Suite E from 3-7 p.m., featuring free haircuts, school supplies, backpacks, and food.
- A collaborative event by the City of Columbia and United Set at KMB Booker Washington Heights Cultural Arts Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering school supplies and entertainment.
- Back-to-School Bash at Meadowlake Park from 6-8 p.m.
- Project Backpack SC giveaway at Forest Heights Elementary School at 5 p.m.
- National Night Out & Back-to-School Bash at Gadsden Park Community Center from 6-8 p.m.
- Another National Night Out & Back-to-School Bash at Pine Grove Community Center from 6-8 p.m.
The series of events and giveaways serve to foster community support and provide relief to families during a time when many feel the pressure of rising back-to-school expenses. With ample opportunities to secure school supplies, families across Columbia can start the new school year well-prepared.
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Additional Resources
- ABC Columbia: 13th Annual Backpack Giveaway
- Grand Forks Herald: BeMobile Verizon Backpack Giveaway
- Keystone Newsroom: Back-to-School Free Backpacks
- Columbia Missourian: Local Organizations Help Families Prepare
- WLTX: Back-to-School Bashes in South Carolina
- Wikipedia: Back to School
- Google Search: Back to School Events
- Google Scholar: Back to School Research
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Back to School
- Google News: Back to School Giveaway
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
