Operation Backpack is underway and providing thousands of backpacks to children living in New York City shelters. 

Volunteers of America-Greater New York is launching Operation Backpack 2020, a program created about 17 years ago.

The administrator for the NYC Department of Homeless Services tells News 12 she sees what it does to the children and parents when they get the backpacks.  

This year things have been different due to the pandemic. 

They say they couldn’t hold drives to get supplies and had to pivot to get supplies and backpacks needed for kids and they say they still need help.