For the second year in a row, OAR will be hosting a back-to-school drive to collect new backpacks and school supplies for children who have a parent incarcerated locally. OAR introduced this program, “Project Backpack,” last year in an effort to offer another way for parents who are incarcerated to connect with their child(ren). We were able to serve over 170 children through this program last year, and we are excited to continue Project Backpack to collect supplies for the 2019-2020 school year.
Project Backpack is such a crucial program because many children with a parent experiencing incarceration live in poverty and cannot afford even the basic necessities for their education. With the help of the community, we can ensure that these children get the supplies they need to succeed in school. Through this program, each child will receive a brand new backpack filled with age-appropriate school supplies as well as a handwritten note from the parent incarcerated, letting the child know that they are not forgotten. Children under the age of five will be given new backpacks filled with age-appropriate books.
How to get involved with Project Backpack:
- Donate new backpacks and school supplies! Donations can be made through our Project Backpack Amazon Wishlist and mailed directly to the OAR office (1400 N. Uhle St., Suite 704, Arlington, VA 22201) or visit any of the Project Backpack donation box locations set up at businesses, faith communities, and civic organizations throughout the community! (Donation box locations soon to come!)
- Host a donation box! We are currently seeking sites (businesses, apartment complexes, community centers, faith communities, etc) to host a donation box to help us collect items for Project Backpack. If you are interested in hosting a donation box, or if you know a business we should connect with, please let us know. We will provide all the materials you need (including the box). Email Stephannie Ku at sku@oaronline.org if interested.
- Make a financial contribution! Funding helps pay for things like mailing the supplies to children who live outside of the local delivery area and for purchasing extra supplies if necessary to ensure that each child in the program receives a new backpack filled with supplies. Donations can be made on our website here. Please list “Project Backpack” in the “Comments” section on the donation page.
- Donate books and gift cards! We will be collecting age-appropriate books and gift cards to give to children under the age of 5. Gift cards to Target and Amazon are most helpful!
- Volunteer for delivery/administrative needs! Volunteers are needed throughout the month of June and August to help deliver and pick-up donation boxes around the community and to assist with administrative duties such as calling guardians of the children to confirm delivery information. This can be arranged during OAR’s business hours or on weekday evenings. Contact Stephannie Ku at sku@oaronline.org for all volunteer inquiries.
- Volunteer at the Project Backpack Packing Party event! OAR’s Project Backpack packing party will be held on August 21, 2019 from 6:30pm to 9:00pm in Alexandria. We will be packing up all the backpacks and school supplies to send out for delivery at the event. Registration is now closed for this event!
The deadline to send in any donations from our Amazon Wishlist is Tuesday, August 20th. Donation boxes in the community will be collected on August 12, 13, 14, and 20th!
Donation Box Site Locations:
Arlington Community Federal Credit Union (ACFCU) Ballston Branch- 4121 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA
Arlington Community Federal Credit Union (ACFCU) Columbia Pike Branch- 5666 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA
Arlington Community Federal Credit Union (ACFCU) Glebe Branch- 2130 N. Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA
Arlington County Sheriff’s Office(NO LONGER AVAILABLE)- 1425 N. Courthouse Rd, #9100, Arlington, VA
Advantage Trainers (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)- 100A E. Fairfax St, Falls Church, VA
Arlington Central Library (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)- 1015 N Quincy St, Arlington, VA
Aurora Hills Library(NO LONGER AVAILABLE)- 735 S. 18th St, Arlington, VA
Bethel UCC (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)- 300 N. Montague St, Arlington, VA
Christ Church of Arlington (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)- 3020 N. Pershing Dr, Arlington, VA
CoCreate Studios (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)- 3140 Washington Blvd, STE 222, Arlington, VA
Columbia Pike Library (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)- 816 S. Walter Reed Dr, Arlington, VA
EagleBank Ballston (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)- 4420 Fairfax Dr, Arlington, VA
Eagle Hill Consulting(NO LONGER AVAILABLE)- 241 18th St S., Suite 615, Arlington, VA
Resurrection Evangelical Lutheran Church- 6201 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA
Rock Spring UCC (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)- 5010 Little Falls Rd, Arlington, VA
Presto Valet (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)- 1623 N. Quaker Ln, Alexandria, VA
Segue Technologies(NO LONGER AVAILABLE)- 2300 Wilson Blvd, #420, Arlington, VA
Shirlington Library (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)- 4200 Campbell Ave, Arlington, VA 22206
Strategic National Title Group (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)- 6870 Elm St, #100, McLean, VA
Trinity Presbyterian Church (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)- 5533 N 16th St, Arlington, VA
TTR Sotheby’s (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)- 400 S. Washington St, Alexandria, VA
Walter Reed Community Center (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)- 2909 16th St. S, Arlington, VA
Woman’s Club of Arlington(NO LONGER AVAILABLE)- 700 S. Buchanan St, Arlington, VA
You are directly supporting children and families impacted by the criminal justice system through your support of Project Backpack. Please help us spread the word about this program!