Backpack Drive Ideas

Office Drive Ideas


My office and I decided that we were going to hold a drive for the Operation Backpack program. We placed boxes by the reception area for people to drop backpacks and school supplies in. To get the employees motivated, we instituted a “jeans policy”; everyday that an employee brought supplies, they were allowed to wear a comfy pair of jeans! This got the entire office excited and needless to say, we were able to collect over 22 backpacks full of supplies. We are planning on holding another office drive this year, and will be instituting the “jeans policy” again!
 
My office participated in the Operation Backpack program by holding a drive. I work in a rather large office with multiple departments, and we thought it would be a fun idea to make it a competition. Each department formed a “team” and did their best to raise the most backpacks and supplies. As an incentive, our President was providing a pizza party for the winning department. This really set the competition in high gear. My department won by a landslide, collecting 9 backpacks, but as a whole, our office came up with 31 backpacks crammed with supplies. Victory never tasted better, I love pizza!
 
Organization Drive Ideas
 
I am a member at my local church and we wanted to help raise backpacks for Operation Backpack. We set a goal of stuffing 10 backpacks for 2nd graders. The word got around to other members, who told their families, who then told their friends and co-workers, and our little drive spread like wildfire. We set out drop boxes at all the entrances and exits of the church for people to drop off their donation. After a months time, we exceeded our goal by 13 backpacks. It was a great way to get everyone at our church involved.
 
My girlfriends and I are in a college sorority, and thought participating in Operation Backpack would be fun! We posted flyers around campus with our address as a place to drop off backpacks and school supplies. We included the Volunteers Of America Michigan website so people could pull the supply lists for the different grades. We made little thank you cards that we passed out to those that came and dropped off donations. At the end of our drive we held a barbeque at our sorority house to show our appreciation. We had a great turnout! We ended up collecting 22 backpacks and tons of supplies.
 
Individual Drive Ideas
 
I have a daughter that attends school in a predominantly low-income area. I would feel terrible when she came home with no pencils and paper because she handed them out to her friends that couldn’t afford to shop for school supplies. When I heard about Operation backpack I knew I needed to help. I approached local business in hopes they would allow me to place drop boxes and flyers by their entrances. Most business were happy to help, and I was able to place 4 boxes in different locations. I raised 16 backpacks stuffed with supplies. It felt great to be able to give back to those less fortunate.

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