Pick a tag that tells you the name, gender, grade, and organization of the student, along with the list of supplies we give to the grade identified (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12).
Choose a backpack that either corresponds to the student's request (ex: Spiderman, pink, no pink) or (if a request was not made) matches what we decide the student would want based on their name, grade, and gender. The backpacks are separated by size (elementary, middle, and high school) because size matters more than color: neither can we stuff three binders into an elementary backpack, nor can a preschooler carry a backpack larger than his body.
Attach the tag to the backpack with yarn.
Part 2: Packing the backpack
The contents of each backpack vary by age group. We provide all of these supplies in each backpack, but the numbers may change depending on what is available at retail stores.
Grades K-2:
Pencil box, filled with pencils, pens, scissors, glue sticks and an eraser
Crayons
Markers
1 wide ruled notebook
1 pack wide ruled filler paper
Construction paper
2 Folders
Ruler
Grades 3-4:
Pencil box, filled with pencils, pens, scissors, glue sticks, and an eraser
Crayons
Markers
2 wide ruled notebooks
1 pack wide ruled filler paper
3 Folders
Ruler
Calculator
Grades 5-8:
Pencil pouch, filled with pencils, pens, glue sticks, highlighters, and an eraser
3 Binders
2 college ruled notebooks
2 packs college ruled filler paper
2 sets of dividers
5 Folders
Ruler
2 packs of index cards
Colored pencils
Grades 9-12:
Pencil pouch, filled with pencils, pens, glue sticks, highlighters, and an eraser
3 Binders
3 college ruled notebooks
2 packs college ruled filler paper
3 sets of dividers
5 Folders
Ruler
2 packs of index cards
Colored pencils
All filled backpacks are counted by their tag numbers to ensure that each child who asked for a backpack receives one, and they are stored for a short time until they are delivered to or picked up by the agency in need. Although we would love to see the children's faces when they see their new backpacks, we cannot give the backpacks directly to the children, but we know they receive them very thankfully and excitedly before the school year begins.
Once every backpack is packed each day, the supply bins are restocked for the next day of packing.