National programs
Back to School
The Need
Imagine missing school because you don’t have a backpack or even a pair of shoes. For many children experiencing homelessness and poverty in America, they don’t need to imagine. They are forced to skip school, unable to participate in sports and playground activities, and face health risks because of inadequate shoes, food, or school supplies.
How To Get Involved
Organize a back to school supply drive for kids in your area, or join our nation-wide community by organizing a fundraiser supporting FOCUS North America’s national programs. More information below on this page!
organize a local
Supply Drive
FOCUS can help equip you with everything you need to support students going back to school in your local area.
There Are Two Ways To Do A Supply Drive:
Backpacks Only: For a small cost ($10 for an empty backpack), FOCUS can provide you with empty backpacks, connect you with a local school or school district, and provide a list of needed school supplies. With these resources, you finish the project on the ground by collecting items to fill each backpack and deliver them to your local partner.
Backpacks + Supply Kits: If you would like to bulk-purchase school supply items instead of collecting them, we can send you backpacks + school supply kits ($25 per backpack + supply kit) directly to your parish, where you can organize a packing party, or to your community partner, who will distribute the filled backpacks to children who need them before the school year begins!
start your own
Fundraiser
Organize a fundraiser to support FOCUS North America’s nation-wide effort to support students going back to school.
With the money you raise, FOCUS Back To School program provides backpacks + school supply kits to children across the country experiencing poverty and homelessness.
This year our goal is to fundraise $60,000 to support the continued work of our national programs, including Back to School Backpacks! Thank you for helping us reach our goal by organizing a fundraiser at your parish.
