Over 9,000 families including 11,000 school-age children reside in the New York City homeless shelter system. Most of these children will go back to school in September without basic supplies, unless we help.

Operation Backpack is Volunteers of America’s annual back-to-school drive that asks the general public to bring new backpacks to designated Drop Locations throughout the city. Over 70 New York businesses participate by engaging employees in backpack and school supply drives. The result is thousands of new backpacks, which volunteers fill with grade-specific supplies during Sort Week and distribute to kids in time for the start of the school year.

Drop Locations are now closed, but you can still support Operation Backpack by making an online donation.

Fill a Backpack -- Give Online -- Corporate Opportunities

Sponsors -- Drop Locations -- Starter Kit

About Operation Backpack

For information on Operation Backpack drives in other cities, visit OperationBackpackUSA.org.