Sacred Heart Community Service is partnering with the Santa Clara County community to make sure 3,800 students from low-income families go back to school this fall with the supplies they need to succeed.
The nonprofit is now accepting backpacks, school supplies, and cash donations through July 30 for their annual Pack-A-Back drive. Donations will go directly to students in grades TK-12 enrolled in schools across the South Bay.
Donations can be made online and on MyRegistry or dropped off at the agency’s center at 1381 S. First Street in San Jose. Checks can be mailed to the same address with “Pack a Back” in the memo line.
The agency’s donation center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays; and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Fridays.
Sacred Heart also encourages community members to organize their own drives to collect cash and school supplies. You can register your drive using this online form.
Families in need can pick up supplies at Sacred Heart on August 10 and 12. You must have an appointment, and can register here.
This year marks the 20th year of the drive. In 2021, despite challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency was able to give out backpacks and school supplies to 3,401 local children.
On their website, Sacred Heart Community Service reiterates the goal of their programs like the Pack-A-Back drive.
“Our mission is to build a community free from poverty by creating hope, opportunity, and action. We provide essential services, work together to improve our lives, organize for justice, and inspire our community to love, serve, and share.”