Over 200 people from across Tehama County gathered on August 02, 2026, at Marshalls in Red Bluff for the annual Back-to-School Great Shopping Day event, designed to ease the financial burden on families preparing children for the new school year. Hosted by the Paskenta Nomlaki Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, the event provided school-aged children, transitional kindergarten to grade 12, the opportunity to shop for quality clothing and receive backpacks, at no cost to the family, ensuring students begin their academic year prepared and confident.
In addition to clothes and a backpack, the Paskenta Nomlaki Foundation partnered with Rolling Hills Clinic to help fill each child’s backpack with free school supplies, including notebooks, water bottles, glue sticks, crayons, colored pencils, pencils, erasers, and many other educational essentials items. With the help of the Rolling Hills Casino and Resort catering team, each family was also provided a complimentary breakfast.
This annual event reaffirms the Tribe’s commitment to education, recognizing it as a cornerstone for building a strong future. The primary aim of the event is to support school readiness, strengthen families, and further the mission of creating a thriving community where every child can learn, succeed, and reach their full potential. Tribal Chairman Brandin Paya highlights the significance of this event: “This event is about more than providing essential school items. It’s about investing in children, supporting families, and demonstrating what is possible when a community comes together to care for one another.”
The spirit of generosity was evident throughout the event, with many volunteers contributing their weekend hours to make the event possible and meaningful for the families. The volunteers included: community members, new and annual helpers; individuals from community organizations including Columbia Band (Corning) and First 5 Tehama; and tribal members. From setup to checkout, the volunteers served with enthusiasm, helping ensure every family felt valued and supported.
By working together, volunteers, partner organizations, the retail partner, and vendors helped ensure that each child who participated left the event equipped not only with clothing and school essentials but also with renewed enthusiasm to begin the school year ready to learn.
About the Paskenta Nomlaki Foundation
The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians has made a significant impact on the regional community, contributing more than $20 million through charitable giving and strategic community investment initiatives over the last decade. The Paskenta Nomlaki Foundation, the Tribe’s philanthropic arm, prioritizes investments in education, health, and cultural preservation, endeavoring to promote growth, self-sufficiency, and a prosperous future for all. To learn more about these investments, visit www.paskenta-nsn.gov/our-community/our-foundations-impact/.