Operation Backpack®

See what they're saying about Operation Backpack® in the news.

July 14, 2021
Helping to fill the gap in academic proficiency for children of low-income families

Fox45 News, WBFF
July 14, 2021
Spotlight on MD with Gina Cash

101.9 FM
July 10, 2021
Operation Backpack at The Streets at Southpoint

ABC11 Raleigh-Durham
July 10, 2021
Operation Backpack at Ballston Quarter

ABC7 On Your Side

Operation Backpack® is our initiative to fill in the gap for our region’s most vulnerable children. From now through August 29, 2021, your donations will help us provide backpacks, school supplies and funding for academic enrichment to more than 2,500 homeless and underprivileged children in Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. Together, we can help ensure these children achieve success despite their circumstances.

This Year We will Continue to Focus on the Needs of Students During COVID-19

Last year, we adjusted our campaign to support the many children experiencing distance-learning and in need of the appropriate access to computers, WiFi, and other technology to receive an education. So in addition to backpacks and school supplies, we appealed to the community to help us raise funds to purchase laptops. In 2021, our mission remains the same!

Last year, we raised $34,000 and provided 2,500 students backpacks, supplies, laptops!

Our 2021 Operation Backpack® goal is to raise $40,000 to support even more kids in need.

Supplies will be provided to students from low-income families in our programs as well as partnering Title 1 schools in the DMV area and North Carolina. To learn more about our family-based programs, click the button below.

Our Family-based programs

If you are interested in supporting our efforts this year,
please contact one of our Community Outreach Coordinators below:

Maryland, DC & Virginia Area
Please contact Christle Baker-Gill at
cbaker-gill@voaches.org or (240) 764-2654

North & South Carolina Area
Please contact Mike DeCinti at
mdecinti@voacarolinas.org or (919) 432-3890

How to Get Involved in Operation Backpack® 2021

Become a Sponsor

We're actively looking for 2021 Operation Backpack® sponsors! To learn more and become an Official Sponsor, please download our sponsorship packet.

Learn More
Make a Donation

Your monetary donation will help us provide backpacks, school supplies, computers, and distance learning resources for children.

Donate
Start a Fundraising Team

Create your own fundraising page and encourage your family, friends and colleagues to help you reach your personal fundraising goal in support of our campaign on our JustGiving page!

Start a Team

Drop Off Supply Donations

We are excited to partner with Brookfield Properties to host our donation drop-off bins. Whether you have a few supplies or a car full, please feel free to bring your donations to these Brookfield Properties located throughout our Chesapeake & Carolinas region.

Find a location near you
Fill a Backpack

Click the button below to see the supply lists for the different grade levels. Also, if you would like to organize an Operation Backpack® Drive at your company, club, school, or place of worship, please submit the Supply Drive Registration Packet.

supply list & registration packet
Purchase & Deliver School Supplies from Amazon

If you're unable to drop off supplies in person, you can still donate by using Amazon. Just click on the button below to see our Operation Backpack School Supply Wish List. Items purchased for the DMV area should be shipped to 7901 Annapolis Rd, Lanham, MD 20708. Items purchased for North Carolina, should be shipped to 207 Commons Boulevard, Durham, NC 27704.

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