VIDEO: Kevin Bacon Supports Volunteers of America's OPERATION BACKPACK in New Promo

Tough Day from Volunteers of America on Vimeo.

Volunteers of America-Greater New York (VOA-GNY) has launched OPERATION BACKPACK® 2014, its annual campaign to collect brand new backpacks and school supplies for the thousands of children living in New York City homeless and domestic violence shelters. The drive is in full swing and continues through August 8th. VOA-GNY is one of many VOA affiliates nationwide that conduct OPERATION BACKPACK® drives to outfit homeless students with new backpacks filled with grade-specific school supplies. Click below to watch a promo for the campaign, featuring Kevin Bacon!

A filled backpack relieves parents of a financial burden and provides a sense of normalcy to the otherwise chaotic lives of these children, helping them look and feel more like their classmates. Most importantly, a filled backpack allows these children to start the school year feeling prepared and confident, with the knowledge that their education is important and that someone believes in them.

In a continuing partnership with VOA-GNY, every Duane Reade location in the five boroughs will accept donations of new backpacks and school supplies from the public during the drive. More than 150 companies, schools and other community, civic and religious groups participate in the VOA-GNY campaign, with new partners joining each year.

The public is encouraged to drop off new backpacks and supplies at any Duane Reade store. To print out a list of the supplies required for each grade,visit www.OperationBackpackNYC.org/fill. In addition, now through July 26, Duane Reade will give customers the opportunity to donate at the register, giving the community another way to help and furthering the retailer's commitment to the most vulnerable children in our city.

For more information, visit www.OperationBackpackNYC.org.