Backpacks

The annual YMCA Operation Backpack, Houston's largest school supply drive, runs from July 19 through Aug. 12.

For the eighth consecutive year, Pearland's Vic Coppinger Family YMCA -- in cooperation with other Houston-area YMCAs -- invites the community to donate backpacks and school supplies for students who might otherwise return to school unprepared.

During the drive, community members may drop off new backpacks and school supplies at the Coppinger YMCA, 2700 YMCA Drive.

Other drop-off sites include New Hope Church in Manvel and Friendswood, ACU Credit Union, Shoe Carnival and H-E-B.

Suggested donations for Pearland ISD students include. . . .
• Sandwich- and gallon-size plastic bags
• Lunch bags
• Hand sanitizer and facial tissue
• Play dough
• Paper towels and plates
• Writing tablets and notebooks
• Index cards
• Pens and pencils
• Construction paper

Last year, Pearland ISD students received 445 backpacks and more than 15,000 school supplies from Operation Backpack.

For more information about the drive, call Vic Coppinger Family YMCA at 281.485.6805 or visit www.ymcahouston.org/operation-backpack/.