A record-breaking 23,758 backpacks were collected through Volunteers of America-Greater New York’s annual Operation Backpack® campaign
NEW YORK — Despite a stubbornly high youth homelessness rate in New York City and increased supply costs, every child living in a New York City shelter this back-to-school season returned to the classroom with a new backpack and school supplies. Most were provided through Volunteers of America-Greater New York’s 23rd annual Operation Backpack® campaign, which broke its own record by collecting nearly 24,000 backpacks, the majority of which were packed to the brim with grade-specific school supplies by volunteers this summer.
Operation Backpack® is a public-private partnership that aims to ensure as many children living in NYC shelters as possible have the school supplies they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond. These items are critical resources that play a measurable role in student success metrics including higher rates of homework completion, class participation and, ultimately, graduation.
“This is a tremendous achievement for all New Yorkers who came together to support our city’s students,” said Jeffrey Ginsburg, President and CEO of VOA-GNY. “We’re incredibly proud of our legacy of supporting children experiencing homelessness through Operation Backpack® and it’s all thanks to the generosity of our partners in the public and private sector who make it possible for us to set the city’s next generation up for success in the classroom.”
VOA-GNY depends on the community and key partners for Operation Backpack® each year, with a number of prominent companies backing the campaign, including Loews Corporation, Paul Hastings, SiriusXM, and The YP Foundation. Others made valuable in-kind contributions, including GFP Real Estate, CMT Group, Westfield, The Weeks Lerman Group, HarperCollins Publishers, and The Honickman Companies. The NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS) also provided critical logistics and distribution support this year.
Additionally, $250,000 was set aside in this year’s City budget for Operation Backpack®, championed by Mayor Eric Adams, NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, NYC Council Majority Leader Amanda Farias, Education Committee Chair Rita Joseph and other members of the NYC Council including Budget Negotiating Committee member Crystal Hudson.
“Operation Backpack has been a lifeline for families in need for more than 20 years, and its impact is felt across our neighborhoods,” said Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, Chair of the Committee on General Welfare. “I’m thrilled that with the Council’s $250,000 investment in this year’s city budget, this crucial program can continue to help meet the basic needs of our most vulnerable students and support their academic success. I thank Volunteers of America for their invaluable work to help ensure all children, regardless of their circumstance, can start off the school year with confidence.”
“When children who are living in shelters arrive at school without the proper supplies, they begin the year at a disadvantage before the first lesson even starts. In my capacity as NYC Council Majority Leader and Council Member for District 18, supporting Operation Backpack® is a no-brainer. This initiative addresses an immediate need while helping ensure that every student — no matter their housing situation — has an equitable start to their education” said Majority Leader Amanda Farías. “I am proud to strengthen the partnership between government and community so that every child in our neighborhood walks into the classroom feeling prepared and with dignity.”
“As Chair of the Education Committee and a lifelong advocate for our students, I believe that no child should have to worry about whether they’ll have the basic supplies they need to succeed in school,” said Council Member Rita Joseph, Chair of the Committee on Education. “This funding is about more than backpacks, it’s about restoring dignity, equity, and ensuring that every child, regardless of their housing situation or family’s income, can walk into the classroom ready to learn.”
VOA-GNY launched Operation Backpack® in 2003 as an effort to collect school supplies for the children living in its own shelters and has since grown to become the largest back-to-school drive in New York City. In the two decades since its founding, approximately 313,000 children have received backpacks and school supplies through the campaign.
About Volunteers of America-Greater New York
Volunteers of America-Greater New York (VOA-GNY) is an anti-poverty organization with a rich 129-year history of serving its neighbors in need. The organization’s vision is fueled by its experience as a leading provider of services to families and individuals experiencing homelessness in the Greater New York area. Through 70+ programs located in New York City, Northern New Jersey, and Westchester County—including emergency shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing—VOA-GNY delivers services to more than 35,000 adults and children annually. It is also the largest provider of residential services for veterans within a coalition that has virtually ended chronic homelessness for veterans in New York City. For more information, visit www.voa-gny.org.