Helping Kids in Need Succeed
Operation Backpack® is VOA’s initiative to fill in the gap for children experiencing homelessness, poverty, and otherwise underprivileged circumstances. Your donations will help us provide backpacks, school supplies, and funding for academic enrichment to unhoused and at-risk kids. Every student deserves the chance to succeed — and that starts with having the right tools on the first day of school.
In 2024, Volunteers of America distributed 45,000 backpacks. Find an Operation Back® program near you using the dropdown below.
Make A Difference In Your Local Community
Los Angeles
- Coming Soon
SACRAMENTO
- MAKE A GIFT: Give the gift of hope this school year to help kids in need succeed.
- SPONSOR: Consider adding your company’s name to our list of strategic partners. Email us to learn about the benefits of early sponsorship commitments.
SAN DIEGO
- Coming Soon
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CHICAGO
- DONATE BACKPACKS & SUPPLIES: Shop our Roonga store for backpacks and supplies to be sent directly to our office in Chicago. You can also shop for supplies and stuff the backpacks on your own before shipping them to our office.
- FUNDRAISE: Create a fundraising team with your friends, family, and coworkers working together to meet a goal. All supplies ordered by your team will be sent directly to our team.
- VOLUNTEER: We are looking for volunteers in the greater Chicago area to help us sort, stuff, tag, and organize backpacks. This year, our volunteer week will be from August 4-8. Email us if you are interested in volunteering during this time.
- SPONSOR: Sponsor one of our back to school events. Learn about our different sponsorship levels and email us for more details.
- MAKE A GIFT: Support this important work with your donation.
Indianapolis
- DONATE BACKPACKS & SUPPLIES: Download the complete supply list and go shopping for school supplies, then deliver the backpacks to a drop off location near you.
- START A DRIVE: Organize campaign drive with your company or community group. Check out our Giving Guide, where you’ll find information to help you get started.
- MAKE A GIFT: Many children return to school without the basic supplies they need. Your donation can empower kids to start the school year off right through Operation Backpack®.
- Coming Soon
BATON ROUGE
- Coming Soon
NEW ORLEANS
- DONATE BACKPACKS & SUPPLIES: Shop online for grade-specific supply kits or pre-filled backpacks using our wishlists on Roonga and Amazon. The items purchased through this store front will shipped directly to us at our office in time for the first day of school.
- SPONSOR: Companies and organizations can equip homeless and at-risk students with the essential school supplies they need. Contact us to give students hope and opportunity this school year.
- MAKE A GIFT: Your support and monetary donations are critical in changing the lives of our most vulnerable students in New Orleans. Give at-risk and homeless students a chance.
SHREVEPORT
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- DONATE BACKPACKS & SUPPLIES: Purchase items from our supply list on your own and drop them off at the VOAMI Southfield Office in August or shop our online store to purchase grade-specific supply kits and pre-filled backpacks that will be shipped directly to us.
- MAKE A GIFT: Your support and monetary donations are critical in changing the lives of our most vulnerable students across the state.
- SPONSOR: You have the chance to make a difference and be a part of something bigger! Don’t miss our Backpack Buddy sponsor opportunity for children to help support their peers.
- VOLUNTEER: You can personally sort and pack backpacks, and even write notes of encouragement to set kids up for success. Operation Backpack® relies on the kindness of individuals just like you to make the biggest impact possible. Volunteer in the greater Detroit region.
- START A DRIVE: You can organize a local drive and invite your friends and colleagues to participate by donating school supplies and backpacks using our supply lists as a guide.
- Coming Soon
Reno
- MAKE A GIFT: Give the gift of hope this school year to help kids in need succeed at school.
- SPONSOR: Consider adding your company’s name to our list of strategic partners. Email us to learn about the benefits of early sponsorship commitments.
- DONATE BACKPACKS & SUPPLIES: Shop online using our online wish list and have the supplies delivered directly to our team in New Jersey.
- OPERATION MINI GOLF: Help children in need get a brand new backpack stuffed with supplies to start the school year off right! Join us at Jersey Devil Golf and Fun Center for mini golf, a driving range, s’mores stations, food, drinks, and more. Register here or become a sponsor.
- START A DRIVE: Using our supply list, collect supplies with your community or organization. Email us for more details about setting up a drive.
- MAKE A GIFT: Your donation to Operation Backpack® is more than a gift, it’s a game-changer for kids in need.
New York City
- SPONSOR: Become an official sponsor and enjoy benefits such as the opportunity to volunteer in-person filling backpacks at our warehouse in August. Email us for more details or to participate.
- START A DRIVE: Hold a backpack drive and/or packing event in your office, school or community to donate new, backpacks filled with school supplies. Email us for more details or to participate.
- FUNDRAISE: Create a fundraising team to raise money with your colleagues, family, and friends.
- MAKE A GIFT: Support this important work with your donation.
- DONATE BACKPACKS & SUPPLIES: Shop our Amazon wishlists for the essential school supplies and brand new backpacks for kids in elementary school or those in middle and high school.
Rochester
- Coming Soon
Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, & Dayton
- DONATE BACKPACKS & SUPPLIES: Download the complete supply list and go shopping for school supplies, then deliver the backpacks to a drop off location near you.
- START A DRIVE: Organize campaign drive with your company or community group. Check out our Giving Guide, where you’ll find information to help you get started.
- MAKE A GIFT: Many children return to school without the basic supplies they need. Your donation can empower kids to start the school year off right through Operation Backpack®.
- Coming Soon
- DONATE BACKPACKS & SUPPLIES: Purchase new backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies from our store. Backpacks will be shipped to your designated region in Pennsylvania to support students in need.
- FUNDRAISE: Invite your co-workers, associates, friends, and family to host a collection drive, now through September.
- MAKE A GIFT: Make a financial contribution, so we can purchase and distribute the backpacks and supplies. You can also hold a collection event at your work, church, or organization and bring your donations to one of our offices in Pennsylvania.
- Coming Soon
ABILENE, AUstin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, & San Antonio
- MAKE A GIFT: It’s not just about paper, pens, or binders – it’s about giving kids in need the opportunity to succeed in school. Donate today.
- SPONSOR: Become an official sponsor of Operation Backpack® to support kids in Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth. Email us to learn more.
- START A DRIVE: Organize a local supplies drive in your community or with an organization.
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PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS, ONE BACKPACK AT A TIME
Make a Donation
Donate funds to purchase backpacks and supplies for students in need around the country. For just $50, you can buy a backpack filled with all the supplies a kid needs to start the new school year.
Partner With VOA
With your help, we can provide backpacks and supplies for more and more kids every year. Fill out the form to learn how you and your organization can support this work.
