Operation Backpack

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.

About Operation Backpack

Thousands of homeless children go back to school each year without any school supplies.

Since 2005, Volunteers of America Greater Sacramento and its community partners have donated more than 11,000 backpacks to students in need. Help make a difference in their lives by participating in this year's Operation Backpack, our annual back-to-school supplies drive to support low-income and homeless children. [see the July 14 Sacramento Bee article on increased student homelessness]

Through Operation Backpack, Volunteers of America also has provided a variety of support services to homeless families and their children.

While Operation Backpack began as a drive to collect backpacks and school supplies for the children of Volunteers of America clients, it has since expanded to provide for youth served by many of our fellow social-service agencies, as well as school districts, throughout the Greater Sacramento area. Some of these beneficiaries join us for our annual "Pick a Pack Day," our backpack distribution kick-off event.

If your school district or social-service agency has an interest in receiving backpacks for children in need through Operation Backpack, please complete the request form.

Whether you take on this challenge on your own, or with friends, making a difference is as easy as A - B - C!

A | Give Back. Give a Pack.

1. Individuals

Pick a school supply list.
Purchase a new backpack filled with school supplies according to the grade level of your choice.
Securely tag the backpack with the school supply list and bring to one of our participating drop-off locations between July 8 and 22.

2. Groups – Join the 100 Pack!

The 100 Pack celebrates Volunteers of America's 100th anniversary of providing human services in Greater Sacramento. By joining today, your group commits to sponsoring its very own Operation Backpack drive, and collecting as many new backpacks and school supplies as possible.
Introduce your personal network of friends, family, neighbors, colleagues and social groups to Operation Backpack and start today!

B | Volunteer

Volunteers are crucial to the success of Operation Backpack. Starting in late-June, and continuing through the first week of August, volunteers are needed to fulfill a variety of roles, including: Runners; Sorters; and Pick-a-Pack Day Event Assistants.
For more details and to sign up, please visit our Operation Backpack Volunteer page.

C | Support Kids Now!

Don't have time to shop or volunteer, but still want to make a difference? Visit our online donation page to make a contribution today!

For additional information on Operation Backpack, please see the list of supporting pages to the left, or contact us at OperationBackpack@voa-sac.org, or 916.442.3691.