Operation Backpack®

2022 Operation Backpack®

Operation Backpack® is our initiative to fill in the gap for our region’s most vulnerable children. From now through August 29, 2022, 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 and Virginia. Together, we can help ensure these children achieve success despite their circumstances.

This Year We've Added the Need for School Uniforms & Funds for Summer Camp to
Our Campaign!

There are many low-income families who lack the resources to provide their children school uniforms. Offering children academic enrichment opportunities during the summer can also be a challenge. So in addition to backpacks and school supplies, we're appealing to the community for donations to purchase fresh uniforms and send kids to summer camp.

Last year, we raised $37,000 and provided 2,000 students backpacks, supplies and laptops!
Our 2022 Operation Backpack® goal is to raise $40,000 to support even more kids in need.

here's my gift!

Supply Collection & Drop-Off Timeline

Week of July 5^th - OB Kick-off
Week of August 1st - First Collection Round
Week of August 8th - Second Collection Round
Week of August 15^th - Third & Final Collection Round & Bin Pick-up
Week of August 22^nd - Final week for Drop-offs at program locations

This timeline will help guide you and your group through our 2022 campaign! To coordinate your individual drop-off/collection day during each round, please contact Christle Baker-Gill at cbaker-gill@voaches.org

START A SUPPLY DRIVE!

Community Event Schedule

August 1^st and 2^nd - The Maryland Zoo (Shipt) - collection/packing event
Shipt is a delivery service owned by Target. This year, they are dedicating all backpacks and school supplies gathered at the zoo to Operation Backpack for this one-day event.
Address: 1 Safari Pl, Baltimore, MD 21217
Event Time: 10am – 4pm

August 5^th – IKEA College Park – packing event
IKEA is hosting an event where members of the community can come and help us pack backpacks with supplies by grade level. Families from our health and human services programs will also be able to come by and pick up backpacks for their children.
Address: 10100 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740
Event Time: 10am – 4pm

September 3^rd - Lexington Market – backpack giveaway event
Lexington Market, directly across from our Paca House program in Baltimore, is working with us this year to engage local vendors and the community to provide backpacks to local kids. There will be food and beverages, music and other activities throughout the day.
Address: 400 W Lexington St, Baltimore, MD 21201
Event Time: 11am - 3pm

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

OUR FAMILY PROGRAMS

If you are interested in supporting our efforts this year,
please contact Christle Baker-Gill at cbaker-gill@voaches.org.

How to Get Involved in Operation Backpack®

Become a Sponsor

We're actively looking for 2022 Operation Backpack® sponsors! To learn more and become an Official Sponsor, visit our sponsorship page by clicking the button below.

Learn More!
Make a Donation

Your monetary donation will help us provide backpacks, school supplies, school uniforms, and summer learning opportunities for children. All donations made after August 29th will be applied to next year's campaign.

Donate

Start a Supply Drive

Supply drives are a great way to bring people together in support of kids in need! If you'd like to organize an Operation Backpack® Drive at your organization, club, school, or place of worship, click the button below to learn more!

Learn More!
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!

Learn More!