Operation Backpack®
Volunteers of America-Greater New York's signature community service campaign
Family homelessness in New York City is increasing rapidly. Children make up about a third of those currently living in shelter, and one of the most devastating impacts of homelessness is on a child’s education.
Due to the end of the pandemic eviction moratorium, the arrival of thousands of asylum-seekers, and skyrocketing rent prices, New York is experiencing a family homelessness crisis reaching levels not seen since the Great Depression. Our city’s children need your support more than ever.
23,000 students experiencing homelessness will need backpacks and school supplies this year—53% more than last year.
Each year through Operation Backpack®, VOA-GNY ensures every student living in a New York City domestic violence or homeless shelter is equipped with a new backpack and grade-specific school supplies before their first day of school.
We count on the kindness and generosity of supporters like you to provide these students with the supplies they need to thrive in school and beyond. Inflation has more than doubled the cost of school supplies and backpacks. In response to this year’s record level of need, we ask that you be as generous as you can.
Please help us show these children and their families that they are important and we are invested in their future.
How to Get Involved
- DONATE. Make a gift to VOA-Greater New York on our fundraising page to support this important work.
To send a check, make it out to VOA-Greater New York. Checks can be sent to:
VOA-Greater New York
135 West 50th Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10020
- FUNDRAISE. Create your own fundraising team and raise money among your colleagues, family and/or friends.
- BE SOCIAL. Spread the word on social media by following and tagging @voagny on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
- For other ways to get involved, contact us.
- Phone: (212) 496-4389
- operationbackpacknyc@voa-gny.org
About the Campaign
As an anti-poverty organization working to end homelessness in the Greater New York area by 2050, we know that helping children succeed in school is critical to breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty. We also know that having a full complement of school supplies plays a vital role in homework completion, class participation and, ultimately, graduation.
For more than 20 years, VOA-GNY has given tens of thousands of children experiencing homelessness a sense of normalcy during the back-to-school season through Operation Backpack®. The children living in New York City homeless shelters rely on us each school year, and we rely on you—our corporate and community partners—to make this initiative possible through sponsorships, in-kind donations and fundraising.
Learn More
News About Operation Backpack®
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August 16, 2022VOA-Greater New York and Operation Backpack® Featured on CBS Evening News
Meg Oliver, reporter for CBS, speaks to VOA-Greater New York client Krystal and her son Kyle, who
Meg Oliver, reporter for CBS, speaks to VOA-Greater New York client Krystal and her son Kyle, who has received several backpacks through Operation Backpack®. The segment features VOA-Greater New York board member Paige Davis and program director Anton Nimblett.
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August 15, 2022Helping Students Experiencing Homelessness Head Back to School Without Stigma: Op-Ed by Myung J. Lee
VOA-Greater New York's President & CEO writes about the importance of Operation Backpack® to help
VOA-Greater New York's President & CEO writes about the importance of Operation Backpack® to help address the widening gaps in our education system in this op-ed published by City Limits, and how the campaign is contributing to our efforts to end homelessness in Greater New York.
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July 20, 2022VOA-Greater New York Partners with Shipt for Community Event
CBS covers the event held in SoHo on July 20, hosted by VOA-Greater New York and Shipt, one of
CBS covers the event held in SoHo on July 20, hosted by VOA-Greater New York and Shipt, one of this year's Operation Backpack® sponsors.