SAN ANTONIO, Aug. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Operation Homefront's Back to School Brigade™ program, which distributes back-to-school supplies to children of military families, is off to a fast start now in its eighth consecutive year. Operation Homefront staff and volunteers are collecting and distributing backpacks full of school supplies to military kids across the nation. Made possible through the generosity of Dollar Tree Inc., Science Applications International Corp. (NYSE: SAIC), RetailMeNot, eBags, Veterans United Foundation and Eckrich, the program primarily serves children of the lowest-paid service members, the E-1 through E-6 enlisted ranks.
It's well understood by parents that school supply costs continue to increase. While estimates vary, one recent report put general cost increases at $40 to $50 per grade category: elementary, middle and high school. Nationwide, there are 1.2 million children of active duty service members. The number of American children who have experienced a parent's deployment is estimated to be close to two million – from newborns to teens. Military families make sacrifices as a result of the service of a loved one, but they shouldn't have to sacrifice when it comes to ensuring their children have the essentials needed to start the new school year when budgets are tight.
"This program is a wonderful example of the great things that our sponsors and their customers make possible," said Operation Homefront Vice President of Development Viktor Zikas. "Thanks to Dollar Tree, SAIC, RetailMeNot, eBags, Veterans United Foundation, and Eckrich literally thousands of military children got a small boost as they get ready to go back to school. As a nation, we are grateful for the sacrifices that these military families endure every day and hopefully, these backpacks and school supplies will make their life a little easier."
When the program concludes in late August, more than 100 distribution events will have been held nationwide and approximately 44,000 backpacks distributed.
About Operation Homefront: A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 2,500 volunteers with nationwide presence who provide emergency and other financial assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors. Operation Homefront has provided assistance to thousands of military families since its inception in 2002. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity watchdog groups, nationally, 93 percent of total donations to Operation Homefront go directly to programs that provide support to our military families. For more information, go to www.OperationHomefront.net.
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SOURCE Operation Homefront
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