Amidst inflation and economic tariffs, parents are changing their back-to-school shopping habits this year, with many limiting their spending according to a new report.
In fact, 52% of parents from low-income households say they will only buy the essentials to get through the start of school season – up 45% from last year.
In an effort to ease the financial burden for families heading into another school year, Verizon Wireless stores in the greater Flint-Saginaw area will be giving away hundreds of FREE backpacks on Sunday, July 27 at 1 p.m.
Verizon authorized retailer, Round Room, is hosting its 13th annual “School Rocks Backpack Giveaway” event. Occurring at more than 1,200 stores, Round Room will be giving over $3M worth of backpacks to students across the country.
Locally, the event takes place at 4424 Corunna Rd., in Flint, on Sunday, July 27 at 1 p.m. Backpacks will be free, but there is a limit of one backpack per child. Also, the backpacks are available as supplies last.
Since the event’s inception, Round Room has been able to provide more than 1.5 million children with a backpack.
Any leftover backpacks will be donated to local schools of each store’s choice.
“This is one of those moments each year that reminds us why we do what we do,” said Scott Moorehead, CEO of Round Room. “It’s not just about the backpacks, it’s about showing up for our neighbors. When our teams gather in stores across the country to give back on the same day, it’s a magical thing.”
This year’s event also marks the conclusion of Round Room’s first-ever “Stuff the Bus” campaign, a nationwide school supply drive held throughout June at its participating stores. Designed to provide essential classroom tools to under-resourced schools, the initiative rallied community members across five states. The finalists, each nominated by a local business, will receive the supplies collected in their area. Additionally, Round Room will be gifting one winning school a bus filled with nearly $40,000 of essential supplies during Backpack Giveaway.
“We know that for many families, back-to-school season is exciting, yet overwhelming,” said Moorehead. “The rising cost of everyday essentials is forcing parents to make hard choices, and a simple backpack can become one more financial stressor. That’s why this initiative matters. We want to ease that burden and help students walk into the classroom feeling confident and cared for.”
The Round Room Way: Community at the Core
Philanthropy is woven into the fabric of Round Room, driven by the passion and creativity of its employees and store owners. From local backpack giveaways enhanced with dunk tanks, obstacle courses, and partner giveaways, to national quarterly initiatives that support teachers, pet rescues and those affected by domestic violence, the company is committed to making a real impact. With over $8 million donated through its community grant program, benefiting more than 1,600 local nonprofits, Round Room continues to uplift communities through both grassroots efforts and large-scale giving.
To learn more about Round Room and their philanthropic commitments, visit roundroom.com/our-impact.
More About Round Room, LLC
Founded on a mission and deep commitment of giving back to employees, customers, and the communities it serves, Round Room is one of the largest Verizon-authorized retailers in the U.S. Its collective portfolio of brands includes TCC, Wireless Zone, and Culture of Good. With more than 1,200 TCC and Wireless Zone retail locations across 43 states, Round Room has donated more than $8M to various causes through ongoing giveback initiatives. The company’s efforts have also been recognized through the Top Workplaces USA 2025 award and the 2025 Gold Stevie award for Company of the Year. To learn more about Round Room, visit www.RoundRoom.com.
About TCC
Founded in 1991, TCC is a Verizon wireless retailer that operates over 500 locations from coast to coast and employs upwards of 1,900 people. As a certified ‘Culture of Good’ company, TCC encourages employees to give back in every community it serves through its Community Grant program, volunteer opportunities, and local philanthropic events. TCC has been recognized with several notable awards including Inc. Magazine’s Best in Business, Top Workplaces USA, and Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work. To learn more about TCC or to find a location near you, visit www.TCCRocks.com. For more information about TCC’s parent company, Round Room, LLC, visit www.RoundRoom.com.
About Wireless Zone
Wireless Zone® is the nation’s largest wireless retail franchisor with more than 720 independently owned and operated Verizon wireless stores across the U.S. Founded in 1988, Wireless Zone has earned prestigious industry rankings on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 and Franchise Business Review’s Top Franchise in 2025, and has been honored with Verizon’s “Best Customer Service” award for five consecutive years. From franchisees to corporate employees, each team member plays a critical role in its giveback efforts through system-wide fundraising campaigns or nominating a local charity for a community grant. The system is franchised and operated by Wireless Zone, LLC. Visit www.WirelessZone.com for more information or www.RoundRoom.com to learn about its parent company, Round Room, LLC.
