Get Students Ready for Day 1. Help Them Thrive All Year Long.
YMCA Operation Backpack provides school supplies for youth across the Houston area, giving students the confidence and support they need to start the school year strong.
Through YMCA after-school programming, children receive academic support, encouragement, and opportunities to grow — helping them thrive long after the first day of school.
Help Students Start Strong in Two Meaningful Ways:
- Visit your local Y and drop off a NEW backpack in the collection box.
- Make a tax deductible contribution to after school programming below.
GIVE SCHOOL SUPPLIES. Change the first day.
FUND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS. Change the trajectory.
Did you know child care costs more than in-state college tuition? For many families, access to safe, reliable after-school care is out of reach.
Backpacks help a child prepare for the first day of school. But what happens after 3 pm can shape the rest of the year. Because when school ends, learning doesn’t stop — and for too many kids, neither does the risk of being alone.
In Texas, more than 600,000 children are alone and unsupervised between 3 pm and 6 pm Across Houston, families face significant barriers to consistent, high-quality care.
YMCA after-school programs provide something every child needs: a safe place, caring adults, academic support, and opportunities to grow. So yes — let’s make sure every child walks in prepared on Day 1. But let’s also make sure they have somewhere to go on Day 2… and Day 50… and Day 150. Help change their trajectory this school year. Donate today!
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNER
Center Event and Backpack Donation Information
Brenda and John Duncan Family YMCA
Need: 300 backpacks
Who we serve: Backpacks collected will be distributed to schools within Spring Branch ISD.
For questions, please contact Ricky Hernandez.
Community Impact Services
Need: 650 backpacks
Who we serve: Backpacks collected will be distributed to clients served in our impact programs.
Distribution event information: July 16 | Community Impact Services, 3110 Hayes Road, Houston, TX 77082
Volunteers needed: Yes
To volunteer for the event and for questions, please contact Delores Serrano.
D. Bradley McWilliams YMCA at Cypress Creek
Need: 500 backpacks
Who we serve: Backpacks collected will be distributed to schools, apartment complexes and partner organizations within our community.
For questions, please contact Mireya Corona.
Fort Bend Family YMCA
Need: 2400 backpacks
Who we serve: Backpacks collected will be distributed to Lamar Consolidated ISD students.
Distribution event information: July 31 | AccessHealth Richmond & Stafford, Lamar Consolidated ISD school locations
For questions, please contact Eric Tiggeman.
Harriet & Joe Foster Family YMCA
Need: 400 backpacks
Who we serve: Backpacks collected will be distributed to students within our community.
Event information: Date TBD | Casa Grande Apartments
Volunteer opportunities: Yes
To volunteer for the event and for questions, please contact Julian Rodriguez.
Holcomb Family YMCA
Need: 500 backpacks
Who we serve: Backpacks collected will be distributed to Conroe ISD & New Caney ISD students and partner organizations in our community.
Distribution event information: August 1 | Holcomb Family YMCA, 5201 Imperial Promenade Drive, Spring, TX 77386
Volunteers needed: Yes
To volunteer for this event and for questions, please contact Casey Woodfork.
Houston Texans YMCA
Need: 500 backpacks
Who we serve: Backpacks collected will be distributed to students in local elementary schools, apartment complexes and our after school sites.
Distribution event information: August 8 | Houston Texans YMCA, 5202 Griggs Road, Houston, TX 77021
For questions, contact Kashala Pope.
Katy Area YMCAs
Who we serve: Supplies collected will be distributed to students in our community.
Distribution event information: August 8 | Mark A. Chapman YMCA at Katy Main Street, 1350 Main Street, Katy, TX 77494
Volunteers needed: Yes
For questions, please contact Kyeria Kingery.
Lake Houston Family YMCA
Distribution event information: August 8 | Second Baptist Church
Who we serve: Supplies collected will be distributed Humble ISD students.
For questions, please contact Erny Lazo.
Langham Creek Family YMCA
Need: 1200 backpacks
Who we serve: Backpacks collected will be distributed to students in our community.
Distribution event information: July 26 | Langham Creek Family YMCA, 16725 Longenbaugh Drive, Houston, TX 77095
Volunteer opportunities: Yes
To volunteer for the event and for questions, please contact Catherine Hollis.
M.D. Anderson Family YMCA
Distribution event information: July 18 | Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center, 9400 Irvington Blvd., Houston, TX 77076
Volunteer opportunities: Yes
Who we serve: Supplies collected will be distributed to Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center & HISD Students in the community
To volunteer for the event and for questions, please contact Alejandra Hoheisel.
Perry Family YMCA
Need: 1500 backpacks
Who we serve: Backpacks collected will be distributed to Alvin ISD, Clear Creek ISD, Dickinson ISD & KIPP Connect students along with partner organizations within our community.
Distribution event information: August 5 | Perry Family YMCA, 1700 W League City Parkway, League City, TX, 77573
Volunteers needed: Yes
To volunteer for the event and for questions, please contact Jaclyn Winn.
Tellepsen Family Downtown YMCA
Need: 700 backpacks
Who we serve: Backpacks collected will be distributed to schools and apartment complexes in the area.
Distribution event information: July 11 | Tellepsen Family Downtown YMCA, 808 Pease Street, Houston, TX 77002
Volunteers needed: Yes
To volunteer for the event and for questions, please contact Sarah Makiyama.
The Woodlands YMCAs
Need: 1000 backpacks
Who we serve: Backpacks collected will be distributed to Conroe ISD students.
For questions, please contact Lauren Jelen.
Trotter Family YMCA
Need: 700 backpacks
Who we serve: Backpacks collected will be distributed to students in our community.
Distribution event information: August 8 | Trotter Family YMCA, 1331 Augusta Drive, Houston, TX 77057
Volunteers needed: Yes
To volunteer for the event and for questions, please contact Otis Sowell.
Vic Coppinger Family YMCA
Need: 500 backpacks
Who we serve: Backpacks collected will be distributed to Pearland ISD students.
Distribution event information: August 10 | Vic Coppinger Family YMCA, 2700 YMCA Drive, Pearland, TX 77581
Volunteers needed: Yes
To volunteer for the event and for questions, please contact LaKeisha Harris.
Weekley Family YMCA
Need: 1600 backpacks
Who we serve: Backpacks collected will be distributed to students in our community.
Distribution event information: August 2 | Weekley Family YMCA, 7101 Stella Link Road, Houston, TX 77025
Volunteers needed: Yes
To volunteer for this event and for questions, please contact Diana Fulton.
Wendel D. Ley Family YMCA
Need: 200 backpacks
Who we serve: Backpacks collected will be distributed to students in our community.
For questions, please contact Brittany Haskins.
West Orem Family YMCA
Need: 500 backpacks
Who we serve: Backpacks collected will be distributed to Fort Bend ISD, Houston ISD and charter school students.
Distribution event information: July 25 | Windsor Village Church & West Orem Family YMCA
Volunteers needed: Yes
To volunteer for this event and for questions, please contact Dianna Visoso.
