JONESBORO, Ark. – A Dollar General store on Highland Drive held a back-to-school supply drive on Monday, combining a festive community outreach with efforts to aid local students in need.
The event offered free hot dogs, chips, drinks, and snacks to donors who contributed school supplies. According to Store Manager Angela Williams, the initiative was designed to go beyond a typical donation drive.
“We know how families are struggling with the economy and things being high these days, so we wanted to give back to the community here in Jonesboro,” Williams said. “We just all came together and kinda supported them.”
Williams emphasized the personal importance of the event, describing it as a chance to reassure the community of the store's commitment to helping local residents.
“It means everything, especially when it’s to come together for the community to let them know that we are here for them and we are big supporters here,” she said.
Williams said the supplies and donations collected during the drive will be distributed to three Jonesboro schools. The goal is to ensure that students are equipped with essential items as the school year begins.
The effort reflects ongoing challenges for families as economic pressures make back-to-school expenses increasingly difficult for many households to manage.