Comcast Boosts Back-to-School Readiness in Jamestown and Grimsley 

As families across the cities of Jamestown and Grimsley in Fentress County, TN gear up for a new school year, Comcast is lending a hand through its national volunteer initiative, Team UP. Employees from across the region came together to pack and donate 250 backpacks filled with school supplies and Comcast Internet Essentials resources, helping local students start the year strong. 

The backpacks were delivered to the Fentress County Chamber of Commerce for distribution at the 4^th Annual Back to School Bash, held at South Fentress Community Park. The event provides students with essential supplies and resources ahead of the first day of school and has become a meaningful tradition in the community. 

“This year’s Back to School Bash was a huge success! We gave away over 500 backpacks full of school supplies, as well as free food for over 500 families, free haircuts, and more,” said Jacob Rosenbaum, Executive Director of the Fentress Chamber. “We are so grateful to our sponsors and community partners for supporting us in this event and helping us meet the need for so many of our local students. Every year we have done this our response from the community has been great, and it really says a lot about how caring and generous the people of Fentress County are.”   

This local volunteer effort builds on Comcast’s ongoing investment in Fentress County. In 2023, the company completed a major network upgrade to deliver a fiber-rich, fast and reliable Xfinity network to homes and businesses in Jamestown and Grimsley. Thousands of residents now have access to Comcast’s full suite of services, including Internet, mobile, and smart home solutions. 

Each donated backpack also included materials from Comcast’s Internet Essentials program – a comprehensive broadband adoption initiative. Designed to support low-income families, Internet Essentials offers affordable, low-cost computers and free digital literacy training. 

“This is about showing up for the communities we serve – not just with our technology, but with our time, energy and care,” said Mike McArdle, Comcast Regional Senior Vice President. “Through Team UP and partnerships like this one, we’re helping students get connected to the tools they need to succeed, both in schools and at home.” 

This effort is part of Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion initiative to connect people to the Internet, create digital opportunity, and build a future of unlimited possibilities.