Nearly 11,000 school-age children live with their families in New York City homeless shelters. 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.

Operation Backpack 2009 will run July 27 - August 9, but planning is underway. Call (212) 496-4311 to get involved.

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.