We'll begin actively seeking sponsorships in January 2021! To support Operation Backpack® 2021 by becoming an Official Sponsor, please contact Christle Baker-Gill at cbaker-gill@voaches.org.
Operation Backpack®
Operation Backpack® is our initiative to fill in the gap for our region’s most vulnerable children. Your donations help us provide backpacks, school supplies and funding for academic enrichment to more than 2,000 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 Had to Need to Rethink Operation Backpack® in Light of the COVID-19 Crisis
This 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.
Our initial 2020 Operation Backpack® goal was to raise $25,000, But thanks to overwhelming support from the community, we exceeded that, raising $34,941! That's 139% of original goal!
Now that kids are back in school, Operation Backpack® has officially ended.
If you are interested in supporting our efforts next year, please contact us at info@voaches.org.
How to Get Involved in Operation Backpack® 2021
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Make a Donation
Your monetary donation will help us provide backpacks, school supplies, computers, and distance learning resources for children.
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Purchase & Deliver School Supplies from Amazon
At this time, we are not accepting anymore backpacks and supplies. Check back here in Spring 2021 to learn how you can help us purchase items.
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Our Family-Based Programs
Your donation will support the vulnerable children of the families we serve. Learn more about our programs!
Yannick Ngakoue, a former Maryland Terrapin and NFL Defensive End for the Jacksonville Jaguars shares what it means to him to support Operation Backpack®
On July 25, Yannick Ngakoue, a former Maryland Terrapin and NFL Defensive End for the Jacksonville Jaguars, donated 25 laptop computers to children in our Maryland-based supportive housing programs through our Operation Backpack® campaign and he challenges you to give too!
What it means to children in our care to receive laptops this year
Our Eastern Avenue supportive housing program 10th & 8th graders, Aryus and his sister Amari share what it means to them to receive laptops through Operation Backpack® this year.

In the News
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September 3, 2020
ABC7 WJLA & Volunteers of America Celebrate 2020 Operation Backpack® victory
ABC7 WJLA
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August 27, 2020
Tackling the digital divide: Organizations provide refurbished computers to students
NBC Today Show
- For inquiries contact our Operation Backpack Team
- Phone: (301) 459-2020
- info@voaches.org