The YMCA of Greater Houston aims to provide supplies and backpacks to 120,000 children
HOUSTON – YMCA Operation Backpack, an initiative of the YMCA of Greater Houston, is one of Texas’ largest back-to-school supply drives. In its 13th year, YMCA Operation Backpack is expecting to reach its highest goal to date by giving school supplies and/or a new backpack to 120,000 youngsters whose families struggle to make ends meet. Last year, the YMCA delivered backpacks and supplies to more than 105,000 children. Thirty-six school districts in the Houston area will benefit from the event.
This initiative is not possible without donors, however. Required school supplies can cost up to $200 per student, yet more than 25 percent of Houston-area children ages 17 and under live in poverty.
YMCA Operation Backpack will launch a month-long school supply drive on Tuesday, July 11 at the Houston Texans YMCA, 5202 Griggs Road. There, a group of 150 children will hand-pick supplies and stuff their own backpacks, creating an opportunity for interviews, photos and B roll from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
It’s easy to make donations from July 11-August 11:
- Make a monetary donation or purchase pre-packaged school supplies and a backpack at any participating H-E-B at the checkout stand. Your donation will directly support your local YMCA.
- Text the word SCHOOL to 91999 to make a monetary donation.
- Visit org to make a monetary donation.
- Visit org for a list of school supplies if you wish to purchase them individually. Supplies and backpacks can be dropped off at any YMCA or at designated sites specified on the YMCA website.
Partners of YMCA Operation Backpack are: ABC13/KTRK-TV, 89.3 KSBJ and H-E-B. Sponsors include: Kidde/The Home Depot, CITGO, The UPS Store Houston locations, Shoe Carnival and Greater Houston Honda Dealers.