The Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) is hosting an all-day backpack drive on Friday, July 26 from 6a.m. – 6p.m., on the front steps of SCOE, 1100 H St., Modesto.

In partnership with Volunteers of America’s annual Operation Backpack campaign, SCOE is collecting new backpacks and school supplies on behalf of homeless students throughout Stanislaus County. The backpack drive will end on Aug. 2.

In addition to the SCOE drop off location, donated backpacks can also be taken to the following sites: Tri Counties Bank, Mocse Credit Union, Modesto Police Department and select Starbucks locations in Modesto. A complete listing of sites is available at www.stancoe.org/go/backpack. The community is encouraged to drop off backpacks on July 26, but if unable to make it that day they can continue to drop off at SCOE through Aug. 2.

The backpack drive will help the homeless student population, which has grown over the past few years. The latest estimates indicate that over 3,000 homeless school aged children currently live and attend public schools in Stanislaus County. Homeless students are those who may be living in cars, shelters, motels, on the street, or in short term living arrangements with family or friends.

“Many of these young people lack adequate school supplies; which may lead to embarrassment and absenteeism,” said Victor Serrato, Director and Operation Backpack coordinator. “New school supplies can lead to a greater likelihood of students being motivated to attend school and fit in with their peers.”

Operation Backpack seeks to provide some sense of normalcy to these children’s school experience by providing new backpacks and school supplies that will help them succeed at school. A complete listing of grade specific school supplies is available on SCOE’s website at www.stancoe.org/go/backpack.

The backpack drive is sponsored by SCOE, Alfred Matthews Buick GMC Cadillac, Tri-Counties Bank, Starbucks, Mocse Credit Union, and the Modesto Police Department.

For more information or to make a donation, contact Victor Serrato at (209) 238-1506.