Once again, Westchester County is teaming up with various nonprofit agencies and businesses to collect school supplies for needy children.

The goal of Operation Backpack, said County Executive Robert P. Astorino, is to surpass last year when donations were received to fill more than 1,000 backpacks.

"These supplies are vital to many of our children," said Astorino. "Our goals is to help as many children as we can."

The program is spearheaded by the county Department of Social Services, but there are many partners. They are:  Operation Prom, Sharing Shelf, WFAS, Kids Klosest and State Farm. 

Said Deborah Blaatt of Sharing Shelf: "We are pleased to again be part of this initiative, which makes a real difference."

State Farm agent Lisa Vitiello made the same point, saying, "I got involved last year and this year I have recruited some of my fellow agents to help as well."

Read the flier for additional information.

Collection bins are set up in various government offices and area businesses.

Government Offices

Westchester County Michaelian Office Building
148 Martine Avenue, White Plains
(914) 995-2100

Dept. of Social Services (DSS) Central Office
112 East Post Road, White Plains
(914) 995-5000

Mount Vernon District Office (DSS)
100 East First St, Mount Vernon
(914) 813-6164

Peekskill District Office (DSS)
750 Washington St., Peekskill
(914) 862-5078

White Plains District Office (DSS)
85 Court St., White Plains
(914) 995-5889

Yonkers District Office  (DSS)
31 Warburton Av. Yonkers
(914) 231-2653

Non-Profits

Sharing Shelf
47 Purdy Ave. Port Chester
(914) 305-9550

Kid's Kloset
845 N. Broadway, White Plains
(914) 522-2812

Businesses

WFAS
365 Secor Road, Hartsdale
(914) 693-2400

State Farm Offices and Contacts:

Lisa Vitiello
282 White Plains Road, Eastchester 
(914) 337-4810

John O'Brien
2016 Central Park Ave, Yonkers
(914) 793-5100

Bob Weber
626 North Ave., New Rochelle
(914) 712-3000

Mark Link
111 Fifth Ave., Pelham
(914) 712-3680

Vivian Lem
590 Central Park Ave, Scarsdale
(914) 725-5000

Delores Clemons
CLU, ChFC
562 Kimball Ave., Yonkers
(914) 663-6688

Tom Broderick
211 Main St., New Rochelle
(914) 632-6000

Mike Lanza
761 Yonkers Ave., Yonkers
(914) 476-2287

Gene A Lanza
761 Yonkers Ave., Yonkers
(914) 476-2287

Tamara Lanza
18 Halstead Ave., Harrison
(914) 835-6000

Edgar Almanzar
477 Central Ave., White Plains
(914) 358-9712

Kathy Davidoff
239 North Broadway, Sleepy Hollow
(914) 524-9535

If you have any questions, contact Matthew McCarrick, staff assistant of Community Education for the Department of Social Services at (914) 995-4979 or by e-mail at .