The drive "collects brand-new, grade-specific backpacks and school supplies for children in New York area shelters, so they can begin the school year with confidence, feeling more like their housed classmates. Nearly 11,000 school-age children are living in New York City homeless shelters on any given day. Most of them would face the start of school in September without basic school supplies if not for Operation Backpack. Relieving their parents of yet another financial burden, the program raises public awareness about the needs of homeless families and the impact homelessness has on a child’s education."

Last year VOA outfitted more than 7,000 homeless children, and the goal for this year is at least 9,000. Operation Backpack was so successful that it is now held in other VOA locations across the country. Visit www.OperationBackpacknyc.org

Supplies can be dropped off at any Duane Reade.

[caption id="attachment_16970" align="aligncenter" width="460" caption="Paige Davis and a new Girl Scout friend"][/caption]