YMCAs throughout Cy-Fair and the entire Houston area have begun fundraising efforts to provide school supplies for underprivileged children who will start school later this month. The program, Operation Backpack, hopes to provide necessary supplies for 45,000 young students in time for the fall. Donations of nearly 3,000 backpacks have been reported so far in the Houston area.

Operation Backpack provided about 42,000 Houston students with supplies last year, said Jamie Clark, a chaplain for the YMCA who founded the effort in 2004.

"The inspiration came from the amount of need [we] found when speaking with educators," Clark said. "You realize that nearly 80 percent of children are on a reduced lunch program and their parents are having to choose between adequate clothing, supplies or food for their children. One of the things that we wanted to do in building the strength of the community was reduce the burden on parents."

Volunteers who would like to participate are asked to purchase a backpack and fill it with school supplies and an encouraging note. Participants can drop off their gifts at any local YMCA, Shoe Carnival or participating H-E-B by Aug. 12.

Supplies include items such as pencils, markers, glue, tissues and notebooks. For those who do not wish to donate a complete set, Operation Backpack accepts any school supplies donated at participating locations. Monetary donations can be made online, over the phone or in person.

"The primary benefit for the children is a big self esteem boost," Clark said. "Our goal is to have a child walk into a classroom equipped to do what the teacher asks them to do."

Donations are distributed to elementary and middle school students of all ages. The YMCA is in need of available volunteers to assist with collecting and sorting supplies throughout the day from Aug. 11-18.

For questions, a complete list of drop of locations and suggested supplies or additional information, call Elida Chavez in the Association Advancement Department at 713-758-9156 or visit www.ymcahouston.org/operation-backpack.

YMCA locations in Cy-Fair:

Cypress Creek YMCA-19915 Hwy. 249, 281-469-1481

Langham Creek YMCA-16725 Longenbaugh Drive, 281-859-6143

Volunteer opportunities

At least six volunteers are needed for each shift on the following days:

Aug. 10-KTRK television station, 713-758-9134

Aug. 11-Vic Coppinger Family YMCA, 281-485-6805

Aug. 12-Aldine-Greenspoint Family YMCA, 281-960-5051

Aug. 15, 18-San Jacinto Family YMCA, 713-473-9441

Aug. 17, 18, 24, 25-Weekley Family YMCA, 713-664-9622

Aug. 18-Thelma Ley Anderson Family YMCA, 281-585-3112

Aug. 18-D. Bradley McWilliams YMCA at Cypress Creek, 281-469-1481