Operation Backpack

Operation Backpack

For most children, the beginning of a new school year means new clothes, new shoes or a new backpack filled with fresh supplies. But thousands of other disadvantaged kids here in the Twin Cities begin the school year without the necessary items most of us take for granted. Operation Backpack is Volunteers of America-Minnesota's annual drive to collect new backpacks filled with school supplies for at-risk, low-income children. There are three great ways you can help deserving children receive a backpack filled with supplies this school year:

1. Buy a new backpack and fill it with the school supplies appropriate for the child's grade.

Use the Supply Guides by Grade Level as listed below. Then deliver your backpack(s) to one of our Drop off Locations by Monday, August 25.

Some families have made this a tradition as they go shopping for school supplies for their own children. Relive the fun of shopping for school supplies even though your children are grown-up -- or find out how much fun it can be to shop for a child.

2. Purchase a back-to-school pack or fully stocked backpack for Operation Backpack online.

Back-to-school packs range from $15.97 to $97.47 and are available for purchase online by clicking on the following link/button:

3. Support Operation Backpack with a donation that will be used to purchase needed backpacks.

There are usually fewer backpacks received for older children -- and your funds would be used to "fill in" any needed backpacks in any age group. Older children need graphing calculators which may cost from $45 and up. In order to keep the cost of purchasing a backpack affordable, your donation may be used to purchase graphing calculators.

You can contribute through our Online Donation Webpage. Your monetary donation is tax deductible. Or send your check to Volunteers of America of Minnesota - Operation Backpack 2008, 7625 Metro Boulevard, Minneapolis, MN 55439 (please list Operation Backpack in the memo section of your check).

Questions? Contact Kristin Cook, if you have questions by calling 952-945-4039, or email her at kcook@voamn.org

Supply Guides by Grade Level

Purchase your new backpack and fill it with the school supplies listed below by grade level (scroll down). Please be sure to attach a color-coded strip, specifying the grade level when you deliver your backpack(s) to the Drop off Locations by Monday, August 25, 2008.

Click here, to view/print a supply list along with color-coded strip (2 pages).

Pre-Kindergarten School Supplies List

#2 Pencils
1 Box of Crayons
1 Composition Notebook
1 Pencil box
1 Bottle of Glue
1 Lunch Bag
1 Box of Tissues
1 Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer
1 Backpack

*A typical Pre-Kindergartener is 4-5 years old and needs a smaller backpack. Look for backpacks with popular characters, fun colors, and bright designs. A small backpack tends to be about 12-14" x 9-12" x 5-10"

Kindergarten School Supplies List

#2 Pencils
1 Box of Crayons
1 Package of Watercolors
1 Package of Washable Markers
1 Package of Colored Pencils
1 Composition Notebook
1 Pencil box
3 Large Pink Erasers
1 Bottle of Glue
2 Glue Sticks
1 Pair of Safety Scissors
1 Lunch Bag
1 Box of Tissues
1 Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer
1 Backpack

*A typical Kindergartener is 5-6 years old and needs a smaller backpack. Look for backpacks with popular characters, fun colors, and bright designs. A small backpack tends to be about 12-14" x 9-12" x 5-10"

First Grade School Supplies List

#2 Pencils
1 Box of Crayons
1 Package of Watercolors
1 Package of Washable Markers
4 Pocket Folders
2 Spiral Notebooks
1 3-ring Notebook Binder (2")
1 Pencil box
3 Large Pink Erasers
1 Bottle of White Glue
2 Glue Sticks
1 Pair of Safety Scissors
1 Ruler (in centimeters and inches)
1 Lunch Bag
1 Box of Tissues
1 Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer
1 Backpack *

*A typical First Grader is 6-7 years old and needs a smaller backpack. Look for backpacks with popular characters, fun colors, and bright designs. A small backpack tends to be about 12-14" x 9-12" x 5-10"

Second Grade School Supplies List

#2 Pencils
Pens blue/black erasable
1 Box of Crayons
1 Package of Watercolors
1 Package of Washable Markers
1 Package of Colored Pencils
1 Highlighter
2 Pocket Folders
3 Spiral Notebooks
1 3-ring Notebook Binder (2")
Loose leaf paper (wide-ruled)
1 Package of Index Cards (3x5)
1 Pencil box
3 Large Pink Erasers
1 Bottle of White Glue
2 Glue Sticks
1 Pair of Safety Scissors
1 Ruler (in centimeters and inches)
1 Lunch Bag
1 Box of Tissues
1 Backpack *

*A typical Second Grader is 7-8 years old and needs a smaller backpack. Look for backpacks with popular characters, fun colors, and bright designs. A small backpack tends to be about 12-14" x 9-12" x 5-10"

Third Grade School Supplies List

#2 Pencils
Pens blue/black/red erasable
1 Box of Crayons
1 Package of Watercolors
1 Package of Washable Markers
1 Package of Colored Pencils
1 Highlighter
2 Pocket Folders
2 Spiral Notebooks
1 3-ring Notebook Binder (2")
Loose leaf paper (wide-ruled)
1 Package of Index Cards (3x5)
1 Pencil box
3 Large Pink Erasers
2 Glue Sticks
1 Pair of Safety Scissors
1 Ruler (in centimeters and inches)
1 Pencil Sharpener
1 Lunch Bag
1 Box of Tissues
1 Backpack *

*A typical Third Grader is 8-9 years old and needs a smaller backpack. Look for backpacks with classic colors or simple designs. A small backpack tends to be about 16" x 12" x 10"

Fourth Grade School Supplies List

#2 Pencils
Pens blue/black/red erasable
1 Box of Crayons
1 Package of Watercolors
1 Package of Washable Markers
1 Package of Colored Pencils
1 Highlighter
2 Pocket Folders
1 Spiral Notebooks
1 3-ring Notebook Binder (2")
Loose leaf paper (wide-ruled)
Subject dividers for Notebook Binder
1 Package of Index Cards (3x5)
1 Pencil box
3 Large Pink Erasers
1 Glue Sticks
1 Pair of Safety Scissors
1 Ruler (in centimeters and inches)
1 Pencil Sharpener
1 Box of Tissues
1 Backpack *

*A typical Fourth Grader is 9-10 years old and needs a small backpack. Look for backpacks with classic colors or simple designs. A small backpack tends to be about 16" x 12" x 10"

Fifth Grade School Supplies List

#2 Pencils
Pens blue/black/red erasable
1 Box of Crayons
1 Package of Watercolors
1 Package of Washable Markers
1 Package of Colored Pencils
1 Highlighter
2 Pocket Folders
1 Spiral Notebooks
1 3-ring Notebook Binder (2")
Loose leaf paper (wide-ruled)
Subject dividers for Notebook Binder
Graph Paper
1 Package of Index Cards (3x5)
1 Assignment pad
1 Pencil box
3 Large Pink Erasers
2 Glue Sticks
1 Pair of Scissors
1 Ruler (in centimeters and inches)
1 Pencil Sharpener
1 Box of Tissues
1 Backpack *

*A typical Fifth Grader is 10-11 years old and needs a small backpack. Look for backpacks with classic colors or simple designs. A small backpack tends to be about 16" x 12" x 10"

Sixth Grade School Supplies List

#2 Pencils
Pens blue/black/red erasable
1 Box of Crayons
1 Package of Washable Markers
1 Package of Colored Pencils
1 Highlighter
5 Pocket Folders
2 Spiral Notebooks
1 3-ring Notebook Binder (2")
Loose leaf paper (wide-ruled)
Subject dividers for Notebook Binder
Reinforcements
Graph Paper
1 Package of Index Cards (3x5)
1 Package of Post-it-Notes
1 Assignment pad
1 Pencil box
2 Glue Sticks
1 Pair of Scissors
1 Ruler (in centimeters and inches)
1 Pencil Sharpener
1 Protractor
1 Compass
1 Scientific Calculator
1 Box of Tissues
1 Backpack *

*A typical Sixth Grader is 11-12 years old and needs a medium backpack. Look for backpacks with classic colors and sturdier builds. A medium backpack tends to be about 19" x 12" x 10"

Seventh Grade School Supplies List

#2 Pencils
Pens blue/black/red
1 Box of Crayons
1 Package of Washable Markers
1 Package of Colored Pencils
2 Highlighters
4 Pocket Folders
2 Spiral Notebooks
1 3-ring Notebook Binder (2")
Loose leaf paper (wide-ruled)
Subject dividers for Notebook Binder
Reinforcements
Graph Paper
1 Assignment pad
1 Pencil box
1 Glue Sticks
1 Pair of Scissors
1 Ruler (in centimeters and inches)
1 Protractor
1 Compass
1 Scientific Calculator
1 Box of Tissues
1 Backpack *

*A typical Seventh Grader is 12-13 years old and needs a medium backpack. Look for backpacks with classic colors and sturdier builds. A medium backpack tends to be about 19" x 12" x 10"

Eighth Grade School Supplies List

#2 Pencils
Pens blue/black/red
1 Box of Crayons
1 Package of Washable Markers
1 Package of Colored Pencils
2 Highlighters
4 Pocket Folders
4 Spiral Notebooks
1 3-ring Notebook Binder (2")
Loose leaf paper (wide-ruled)
Subject dividers for Notebook Binder
Reinforcements
Graph Paper
1 Assignment pad
1 Glue Stick
1 Pair of Scissors
1 Ruler (in centimeters and inches)
1 Protractor
1 Compass
1 Scientific Calculator
1 Box of Tissues
1 Backpack *

*A typical Eighth Grader is 13-14 years old and needs a medium backpack. Look for backpacks with classic colors and sturdier builds. A medium backpack tends to be about 19" x 12" x 10"

Ninth Grade School Supplies List

#2 Pencils
Pens blue/black/red
2 Highlighters
5 Pocket Folders
5 Spiral Notebooks
1 3-ring Notebook Binder (2")
Loose leaf paper (wide-ruled)
Subject dividers for Notebook Binder
Reinforcements
Graph Paper
1 Assignment pad
1 Package of Post-it-Notes
1 Ruler (in centimeters and inches)
1 Scientific Calculator
1 Dictionary
1 Thesaurus
1 Backpack *

*A typical Ninth Grader is 14-15 years old and needs a larger backpack. Look for backpacks with classic colors and sturdier builds. A medium backpack tends to be about 19" x 13" x 10"

Tenth Grade School Supplies List

#2 Pencils
Pens blue/black/red
2 Highlighters
5 Pocket Folders
5 Spiral Notebooks
1 3-ring Notebook Binder (2")
Loose leaf paper (wide-ruled)
Subject dividers for Notebook Binder
Reinforcements
Graph Paper
1 Assignment pad
1 Package of Post-it-Notes
1 Ruler (in centimeters and inches)
1 Scientific Calculator
1 Dictionary
1 Thesaurus
1 Backpack *

*A typical Tenth Grader is 15-16 years old and needs a larger backpack. Look for backpacks with classic colors and sturdier builds. A medium backpack tends to be about 19" x 13" x 10"

Eleventh Grade School Supplies List

#2 Pencils
Pens blue/black/red
2 Highlighters
5 Pocket Folders
5 Spiral Notebooks
1 3-ring Notebook Binder (2")
Loose leaf paper (wide-ruled)
Subject dividers for Notebook Binder
Reinforcements
Graph Paper
1 Assignment pad
1 Package of Post-it-Notes
1 Ruler (in centimeters and inches)
1 Scientific Calculator
1 Dictionary
1 Thesaurus
1 Backpack *

*A typical Eleventh Grader is 16-17 years old and needs a larger backpack. Look for backpacks with classic colors and sturdier builds. A medium backpack tends to be about 19" x 13" x 10"

Twelfth Grade School Supplies List

#2 Pencils
Pens blue/black/red
2 Highlighters
5 Pocket Folders
5 Spiral Notebooks
1 3-ring Notebook Binder (2")
Loose leaf paper (wide-ruled)
Subject dividers for Notebook Binder
Reinforcements
Graph Paper
1 Assignment pad
1 Package of Post-it-Notes
1 Ruler (in centimeters and inches)
1 Scientific Calculator
1 Dictionary
1 Thesaurus
1 Backpack *

*A typical Twelfth Grader is 17-18 years old and needs a larger backpack. Look for backpacks with classic colors and sturdier builds. A medium backpack tends to be about 19" x 13" x 10"