Last year, Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation were able to donate 5600 backpacks full of school supplies to children in foster care. This year, we’re shooting for at least 5000 more new backpacks for the 2017-2018 school year. Join us along with Arizona Helping Hands, AASK – Aid to Adoption of Special Kids, and VOICES for CASA Children to make the school year start right.
How to Participate in the Backpack Drive
You can drop off your donation on Saturday, July 15th between 9am and 1pm at Office Max – Arcadia Crossing (4519 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix). In addition to backpacks, we will be accepting:
- Pens/Pencils/Highlighters
- Erasers
- Crayons/Colored Markers
- Paper/Notebooks
- Binders/Folders
- Glue Sticks
- Rulers
- Dictionaries/Thesauruses
- White-Out
- Calculators
- Flash Drives
- Alarm Clocks
Your donation will benefit schoolchildren of all ages and genders who are currently in foster care. Foster families often face financial strain, especially in kinship care (in which a grandparent or relative may suddenly be responsible for the children on short notice) or group home settings. By providing children with school supplies, we help them fit in with their peers and have the tools to succeed academically.
How to Request a Backpack and School Supplies
Foster parents and group home providers, as well as DCS and Tribal caseworkers, may request a backpack full of school supplies by completing our registration form. You may request a backpack for children in foster care, as well as any adopted and biological siblings. Please note that submitting a request does not guarantee we can fill your order. We will follow up with you within one week of the backpack drive to set an appointment for pick-up. The pickup location is in Scottsdale. You must show a Notice to Provider for each child in foster care to pick up your order.
If your family is served by AASK or Voices for CASA Children, you will receive backpacks directly from those agencies. Please contact them for information if you need it.