The start of the new school year is just weeks away for Washoe County students. But for children who live in poverty - the thought of showing up unprepared on that first day can be overwhelming.
That's where Operation Backpack comes into play.
A new backpack, filled with binders, pencils, glue - all provided free of charge, to those in need, so our local kids can start the school year off right. Angelica Reyes, has been heavily involved with donations for the past three years. "New backpack, all the supplies, fresh crayons, just to help them not have to worry about that on their first day of school," because worry is something that our local homeless kids are all too familiar with. Many don't know where their next meal is coming from. Our school district serves 3,600 “Children In Transition” - youth who are homeless.
"It means they live in temporary housing,” explains Sandy Isham. “It could be a weekly motel, it could be a shelter, or it could be what we call couch-surfing with friends or family." Isham is with Volunteers of America in Reno.
Every year Volunteers of America holds Operation Backpack - a community wide donation drive to get supplies for our local school kids. RE/MAX Professionals is one of the drop-off location in Reno, that’s the one Reyes is in charge of. "Being a single mom of three kids, I know, definitely, struggles have been up and down, so I know first-hand what it's like when you're trying to get all the supplies for the children” says Reyes.
Isham says it’s about a lot more than pens and pencils. "We want them to be a success. Our overall goal is for them to have a better future, and so that is the importance of arming them with the right tools so they can succeed.” Cash donations are also gratefully accepted. "Even $20 to $25 will help fill a backpack, buy a brand new backpack. There are so many great specials going on at different stores” says Reyes.
If you'd like to help, there's a full list of grade specific supplies needed at https://www.voa-ncnn.org/fill-a-backpack.
Drop-off locations: https://www.voa-ncnn.org/pdf_files/obp-2016-reno-drop-off-locations
More information about Operation Backpack: https://www.voa-ncnn.org/operation-backpack
Information on Volunteers of America in Reno: https://www.voa-ncnn.org/
