3rd Annual Back-to-School Backpack Drive

Rainbow Housing Assistance Corporation (Rainbow) understands the financial strain that can be placed on a low-income family when it comes to providing the proper and necessary tools for their children to attend school. The average total for back-to-school supplies may cost a family up to $443 (National Retail Federation). Many low-income families cannot afford the necessary supplies to properly educate their children, thus perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

HISTORY OF THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL BACKPACK PROGRAM
Rainbow began the national “Back-to-School Backpack Program” in 2009. Starting small, Rainbow adopted families who resided within the communities we service. Rainbow was able to reach out to national partnerships and provide backpacks and school supplies to roughly 100 families. In 2010, Rainbow expanded on our vision to provide backpacks and school supplies to a greater number of children in need. Rainbow obtained commitments from partners and private citizens to provide more than 1,500 backpacks nationally to the youth in the communities we serve. Rainbow also partnered with Kohl’s Department Stores in Phoenix, Arizona and Houston, Texas to provide volunteers to assist with stuffing the backpacks with school supplies and handing out the backpacks at the Back-to-School Event in both cities.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Over the course of the next three months (June through August 2011), Rainbow is looking to collect backpacks filled with school supplies.

In the month of August, Rainbow and our team of community volunteers anticipate delivering over 2,000 backpacks to the low-income youth residing within our communities. Without your generous support, these youth might not otherwise have the means to obtain the needed school supplies for the upcoming 2011-2012 school year.

By donating your gently used backpack with working zippers, buying a new backpack, donating or buying school supplies, or making a cash deductible donation of $35 online, you will offer a Rainbow-serviced low-income youth the ability to pursue their education without the shame and fear associated with poverty.

We will be collecting backpacks, supplies, and donations through August 15, 2011.