Local schools have just released for the summer but the City of Pensacola Parks & Recreation Department is already looking ahead to the start of the 2016-17 school year. Several of the City's Neighborhood Resource Centers will be collecting backpacks and school supplies with the Operation Backpack Program to help children and families who struggle to afford these items when school starts.
New backpacks and school supplies are being collected now through July 29 and will be distributed before school starts in August. Donations will benefit children and families near Cobb, Fricker, and Woodland Heights Resource Centers.
"Anyone can help with Operation Backpack by donating one or more items from the school supply list," said Molly Mahtani, Program Specialist at Bayview Senior Center. "No donation is too large or too small. We've even enlisted the help of a sponsor, Haynes Van & Storage to house any overflow backpacks and supplies we receive."
School Supply List
1 Backpack
1 pkg Washable Markers
1 pkg Colored Pencils
24 No. 2 Pencils
1 Pencil Sharpener
3 Pens
2 Pink Erasers
1 Pencil Box or Pouch
3 Yellow Highlighters
3 Glue Sticks
1 pair 5-inch Scissors
3 Wide Ruled Spiral Notebooks
1 pkg Wide Ruled Composition Notebooks
1 pkg Wide Ruled Paper
5 Twin Pocket Folders
1 Calculator
Drop-Off Sites:
Bayview Senior Center 2000 East Lloyd Street
Cobb Resource Center 601 East Mallory Street
Fricker Resource Center 900 North F Street
Gull Point Resource Center 7000 Spanish Trail
Vickrey Resource Center 2130 Summit Blvd
Woodland Heights Resource Center 111 Berkley Drive
"We will also set up a booth at the next Hill-Kelly Drive-In Movie on July 8 and the Blues Angel Music Blues on the Bay concert on July 17 to collect supplies and backpacks," said Mahtani.
Another way to help the Operation Backpack program is by attending the Ballin' 4 Backpacks event on Friday, June 24 at Vickrey Resource Center.
Four area high schools (Catholic High School, Gulf Breeze High School, Milton High School, and West Florida High School) will play exhibition games to raise money and collect donations for the Operation Backpack cause.
When: Friday, June 24th 6-8:30 p.m.
Where: Vickrey Resource Center
Admission to the event is $3 or FREE with the donation of a new backpack and/or school supplies
Game Schedule
Girls' - 6:15 p.m.: CHS vs GBHS
Boys' - 6:45 p.m.: WFHS JV vs GBHS JV
Girls' - 7:15 p.m.: CHS vs MHS
Boys' - 7:45 p.m.: WFHS vs GBHS
For more information call (850) 436-5670 or log onto PlayPensacola.com.