AUSTIN, Texas — Want to help a Central Texas child in need? An Austin nonprofit is collecting school supplies for children living in domestic violence shelters.
The Texas Advocacy Project launched its 12th annual "Backpacks for Hope" campaign on Tuesday. It will run until July 12.
The nonprofit said that Backpacks for Hope aims to help set children up for a successful school year by providing them with school supplies, essentials and a sense of normalcy.
"Embarking on a new school year can be challenging for any child, but it becomes especially daunting for those living in domestic violence shelters. Picture a child arriving at a brand-new school without a backpack, feeling conspicuous and different from their peers. This is where Backpacks for Hope makes a difference," the Texas Advocacy Project said in a press release.
The campaign also allows the nonprofit to get legal and social resources to survivors. Each backpack is fitted with a discreet tag that lists the Texas Advocacy Project's toll-free legal line and includes information about how to access free legal and social services and safety planning information.
If you would like to help, there are a couple of ways to get involved.
You can make a monetary donation to help with the shipping costs of sending backpacks to kids across Texas, or you can shop online using the Texas Advocacy Project's Amazon Wishlist. You can also donate a backpack at one of the public drop off locations around Central Texas, shown in the map below:
Or if you would rather, you can volunteer to help get the backpacks ready for shipment in July. To get involved this way, contact volunteer@TexasAdvocacyProject.org for more information.