Annual Back-to-School Backpack Drive For 200 Kids Raised by Grandparents

Give a backpack, empower a child. Removing educational barriers for students can start with one essential item: a simple, sturdy backpack. This year, back-to-school costs are expected to hit $890 per household. For grandparents raising grandchildren, providing for their success is extra challenging due to fixed incomes and little to no outside support. In Arizona, 62,433 grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren.* For every 1 child raised by kin in foster care, there are 8 being raised by kin outside of the system—that’s 87% ineligible to receive assistance awarded to foster families. Duet serves these grandfamilies, offering support groups, educational workshops, social events, respite care, legal guidance, and resource information. This summer, your donation extends fair play beyond the playground to equip 200 K-12 grandchildren with backpacks to set every child up for success. Help us meet their needs.

Donating is Easy, with Two Ways to Give:

1. Sign into your Amazon account then donate from our Amazon Wish List. Scan the QR code below or visit https://amzn.to/3UeTlTx. Shipping Note: Please select Duet’s address at checkout.
2. Drop off backpacks or other donations at Duet, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
   10000 North 31st Avenue, Suite D200, Phoenix, AZ 85051
   (Office closed May 27, June 19, and July 4)

Most-Requested Backpack Brands & Other Items
Backpacks are an essential item when it comes to transporting school supplies to and from school. We recommend the following backpack brands because they are durable, designed to help reduce backpack weight, and mitigate back pain in children and adolescents: JanSport®, The North Face, Lands’ End, Carhartt, and Adidas. Of course, you are also welcome to donate basic school supplies and retail gift cards to help with purchase of shoes, clothing, or haircuts — $25-$50 increments preferred.

Deadline to donate is Monday, July 8.

Log in to your Amazon account, then click the green button or scan the QR Code below.

For additional information, contact Lisa McCormick at mccormick@duetaz.org, (602) 274-5022, ext. 114.

*https://financebuzz.com/back-to-school-shopping
**www.grandfamilies.org/State-Fact-Sheets