Operation Homefront and CSX to Distribute School Supplies to More Than 1,000 Military Families

SAN ANTONIO, July 27, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As families nationwide prepare for the start of another ? although arguably very different ? school year, CSX will join Operation Homefront to distribute more than 1,000 backpacks and essential school supplies to military children in Jacksonville, Florida; Clarksville, Tennessee; and Fayetteville, North Carolina as a part of Operation Homefront's annual Back-to-School Brigade® (BTSB).

"We are so grateful for the generosity of the CSX Corporation who has stepped up for another year, through their Pride In Service campaign, to help us serve these very deserving military families at a time when unexpected deployments, unemployment and reduced work hours, along with the other stresses of military life, have hit them very hard," said Margi Kirst, Chief Development Officer of Operation Homefront. "These donated supplies will help our military children have a strong start to their school year, while easing the parents' financial burden of the back-to-school season."

The ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take a huge toll on military families. This year, more than ever, these deserving families will benefit from a program that helps offset finances they would normally use for school supplies and allow them to apply their funds to other critical needs. As part of Operation Homefront's mission to build strong, stable, and secure military families, the Back-to-School Brigade® program is supported by CSX and its Pride in Service initiative to ensure military families receive the support they need ? when and where they need it.

"CSX worked closely with Operation Homefront to evolve our shared efforts to meet the needs of military families safely and effectively, as the nation continues to be challenged by COVID-19," said Bryan Tucker, Vice President of Corporate Communications at CSX. "We are proud to continue to positively impact military children through our Pride in Service initiative and these Back-to-School Brigades."

The BTSB is Operation Homefront's nationwide collection of school supplies and backpacks that are distributed to the children of military families as well as to all ranks of wounded, ill or injured veterans and their families. The annual program is sponsored by national partners Dollar Tree and SAIC and during this year's campaign, Operation Homefront will distribute its 400,000th backpack since 2008, saving military families more than $50 million in back to school expenses.

This year's Back-to-School Brigade® events will have a different look relative to past programs to adhere to all federal, state and local COVID-19 guidelines. Events will be delivered in a drive-through format with volunteers following CDC guidelines.

About Operation Homefront: Founded in 2002, Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so that they can thrive ? not simply struggle to get by ? in the communities they have worked so hard to protect. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity oversight groups, 91 percent of Operation Homefront expenditures go directly to programs that support tens of thousands of military families each year. Operation Homefront provides critical financial assistance, transitional and permanent housing and family support services to prevent short-term needs from turning into chronic, long-term struggles. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the support from thousands of volunteers, Operation Homefront proudly serves America's military families. For more information, visit http://www.OperationHomefront.org.

About CSX: CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For nearly 200 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation's economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation's population resides. It also links more than 230 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at http://www.csx.com.

SOURCE Operation Homefront