Operation Backpack
[/frame_left]Operation Backpack
Back-to-School Outreach to
Homeless Children and their Families
Sunday, July 10 – Sunday, August 7, 2016
The St. Ann’s Outreach Committee invites you to help provide school supplies to homeless children through the Volunteers of America (VOA) program known as “Operation Backpack.” St. Ann’s will collect these items at drop off locations in the narthex (foyer) and parish hall through Sunday, August 7.
Approximately 23,000 children live in New York City’s homeless and domestic violence shelters. One of the most devastating consequences of homelessness is the impact it has on a child’s education. New backpacks filled with grade-specific school supplies relieve parents of a financial burden and provide a sense of normality to the otherwise chaotic lives of these children, helping them to look and feel more like their classmates.
Lists of supplies needed are available at the church entrance and also here. These lists cover several age groups of school children: pre-K and kindergarten, lower grades, middle school and high school. Included are such things as the backpacks themselves, pencils, USB flash drives, hand sanitizers and other supplies.
You may also support this campaign in any of the following other ways:
- Volunteer to sort supplies and stock and label backpacks after services on Sunday, August 7.
- Volunteer to deliver backpacks to the VOA offices in midtown Manhattan on Monday, August 8.
- Donate directly to Operation Backpack.
- Ask your friends to pitch in!
This is St. Ann’s fourth annual Operation Backpack drive. We appreciate your help in connecting to the needs of children by your participation!