Spread the Word

PRESENTED BY

Thank you!

Thanks to your generosity, we saw more than 4,000 school supply-filled backpacks donated during Operation Backpack 2011! Watch the video of the beginning of our distribution process by clicking here. If you would like to help during the 2012 campaign, please email Delia at OperationBackpack@voa-sac.org, or call (916) 442-3691.

Thank you for helping us "spread the word" about Operation Backpack! Please see below to download printable PDFs of our outreach materials, including our media releases, fliers and publicity poster. Further down, you can download our school supply lists and drop-off locations list (both of which have dedicated web pages as well - see left). If your group has yet to join the "100 Pack," learn more by clicking here.

Media Release #1

To download our Operation Backpack media releases, please click on the image(s) below:

Fliers

To download informational fliers concerning Operation Backpack 2011, including a general-information flier, one that covers group participation (the "100 Pack"), and how you can become an Operation Backpack volunteer, please click on one or more of the images below.

Publicity Poster

To download a mini publicity poster PDF featuring Gulstan Dart and Edie Lambert of KCRA 3, click on the image below (original design is 12x16 inches and can be scaled to fit whatever paper size you have available):

School Supply Lists

To download a PDF of a grade-specific school supply list, click on the image of the desired sheet: pre-kindergarten and kindergarten; 1st through 4th grades; 5th and 6th grades; and 7th through 12th grades.

Drop-Off Locations List

To download a PDF of our 2011 drop-off locations, click on the image below. You also may view the locations on the Drop-Off Locations web page (which includes links to maps and each location's hours, etc.) by clicking here.

If you have questions on how you or your group can support Operation Backpack, please contact us at OperationBackpack@voa-sac.org, or 916.442.3691.

Sacramento City Unified School District Homeless Liaison Monica McRho on the importance of Operation Backpack:

"Sacramento City Unified School District is very fortunate to have Volunteers of America and Operation Backpack support our program for homeless students. The district serves many students who live in shelters, run-down motels, in cars, on the street, etc. With the economic crisis, many housed families are now on the brink of joining this homeless population.

Despite the bleakness and uncertainty in their lives, these students have one thing in common ... they want to be in school with their peers. But they lack adequate school supplies, which leads to embarrassment and absenteeism. New backpacks and school supplies help motivate them to attend school, succeed in their work, and fit in with their peers. It is so rewarding to see the excitement and joy on their faces as they receive their backpacks. The students waste no time in opening them up, and pulling out the contents for everyone to see. It is a small thing to most of us, but means everything to them. Thank you, Operation Backpack!"