Now through August 15, 2010, YMCA Operation Backpack will collect brand new backpacks filled with school supplies at both the Conroe and South Montgomery County YMCA locations. Operation Backpack will then pass out these back-to-school necessities to children in 31 Houston area school districts including Conroe ISD. 

This is the 6th Annual Operation Backpack to be held by the area YMCA’s, and just last year alone was able to collect more than 18,356 backpacks and about 167,742 school supplies. These items all went to help prepare more than 35,000 kids for their first day of school. With the economic struggles of many area families, this year’s need is much greater and their goal is to touch the lives of 40,000 or more children. 

“With the current state of the economy, many parents just don’t have the money to buy the supplies their kids need to start the new school year off right”, said Roxanne Davis, YMCA group marketing director. “All backpacks and schools supplies donated stay right here in our community. We work closely with our local school administrators who help distribute the backpacks to the students who desperately need the help at the beginning of the school year. We want every student to have the necessary tools to be successful and achieve their fullest potential.”

Local drop-off locations include all three South Montgomery County YMCA centers in The Woodlands at 6145 Shadowbend Place, 8100 Ashlane Way and 6464 Creekside Forest Drive, and the Conroe Family YMCA at 10245 Owen Drive.

And, new this year, monetary donations can be made to Operation Backpack on-line. Visit www.ymcaoperationbackpack.org to contribute and find additional information, including a list of school supplies or call (281) 367-YMCA for more information.