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ACPS aims to collect 3,500 backpacks in back-to-school drive

By James Cullum
Backpacks bound for K-2 kids (Photo via ACPS/Facebook)

Alexandria City Public Schools has launched its annual Backpack & School Supply Drive with the goal of collecting 3,500 backpacks by Monday, Aug. 4.

Groups can arrange a pickup of large donations to the school system, and individuals can drop off backpacks and supplies Monday through Thursday at Alexandria City High School (3330 King Street) and Mount Vernon Community School (2601 Commonwealth Avenue).

ACPS states that there are several ways to contribute.

  • Purchase new backpacks or items on the ACPS PreK-Grade 12 school supply list or online wish list, and drop them off at an ACPS school collection point
  • Organize a school supplies collection drive with your neighborhood or organization
  • Host a fundraiser, such as a raffle or summer social, and donate the proceeds to the Backpack & School Supply Drive
  • Create handwritten “Welcome Back” notes to include in donated backpacks

Anyone with questions and ideas can email [email protected]. The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 19.

A video of last year’s drive is below.

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.