July is here and a new school year is quickly approaching!

Once again, the GAP Committee is calling on you to donate new backpacks for students in the fall.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Program provides basic services to children whose families are experiencing homelessness, donating backpacks is one way we can help keep these students in school. The program needs 1,500 backpacks for elementary, middle, and high school students for the upcoming school year.  APS estimates that 3,238 students enrolled in local schools have no permanent place to live.

Children in the program may:

• Live in transitional or emergency shelters
• Live in motels, cars, abandoned buildings, or other inadequate accommodations
• Are "doubled up" (two or more families in the same household)
• Are runaways or youth rendered homeless by their parents

Ways You Can Help

1. Drop off Backpacks

• GAAR Office
  1635 University Blvd NE, 87102
   
• Directors Mortgage  **again this year, they will match 100 backpacks donated at their location**
   
• ERA Summit Real Estate
  6001 Indian School Rd NE Ste #150, 87110

2. Set up a Donation Box in your Office

• Download a sign

Every $10 buys 2 backpacks. Donate by Friday, August 1st
No cash or school supplies, please.

3. Make a Monetary Donation

• Drop off checks (payable to GAAR with Title 1 Backpack Drive in the Memo). No cash please!
• Mail donations to GAAR, 1635 University Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM  87102 (please note in the memo: Backpack Drive)
• Donate online: Login to GAAR Member Portal > Upcoming Events > 2025 Backpack Drive

8.5 x 11 Sign  (Letter)                                     11 x 17 Sign (Tabloid)

A Path to Stability:  Education for Every Child