Salvation Army Hosts Annual Back-to-School Supplies Giveaway in Medford, Oregon

The Salvation Army’s annual back-to-school event is underway this week in Medford, Oregon, according to KOBI-TV NBC5 and KOTI-TV NBC2. The article was published August 11, 2026.

This year, 335 children, along with their parents, are taking part in a personalized back-to-school shopping experience. Each child is paired with a volunteer shopper who helps select a backpack and school supplies such as pens, pencils, and notebooks. The stated goal is for students to arrive on their first day of school prepared and ready to learn.

Volunteer Coordinator Lauren Washington said the event is meant to help the whole family. “This benefits the kids in our community, not only just them feeling supported, feeling ready for the school year, but also for the families, for the parents. A lot of families in our community are struggling with bills,” Washington said. “Adding school supplies to that financial burden, it’s heavy for a lot of families.”

The organization describes the event as a lifeline for struggling parents and families, a point Washington echoed in her remarks. Families are given support with costs that arrive at the start of the school year, as shown by the volunteers who help each child select supplies (Isaiah 58:7).

The Salvation Army will continue the event on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

Source: Read the original report