Operation Backpack - Wilson County Schools

Wilson County Schools would appreciate your support this year for our 14th annual backpack drive - Operation Backpack. Since 2012, we have been able to distribute thousands of backpacks to our students in need because of generous donations from businesses, organizations and individuals. More than half of our 10,000 students live in poverty and often worry about the first day of school because they do not have the necessary supplies - it is our goal to alleviate this worry and help them have a successful start to the school year.

Please support our students by becoming a backpack sponsor. There are several ways to help: 

• Make a tax-deductible, monetary donation to be used for purchasing backpacks and supplies, and mail the donation to Wilson County Schools. See the Supporter Form for more information - Supporter Form or email amber.lynch@wilsonschoolsnc.net to indicate how much you would like to donate. Checks should be made payable to Wilson County Schools with Operation Backpack on the memo line. Checks can be mailed to - Wilson County Schools, Attn: Amber Lynch, PO Box 2048, Wilson, NC  27894.
• Donate actual backpacks and school supplies. See the Backpack Flyer or the following information. The backpacks can be dropped off at Fike High School (500 Harrison Dr. in Wilson) on Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Thurs., July 31. Backpacks should be at least 17 inches tall and not have wheels. The suggested items in the backpacks are as follows:
  • 1 box of crayons
  • 6 pencils
  • 2 pens
  • 2 highlighters
  • 1 pencil pouch
  • 1 3-ring binder
  • 1 pack of looseleaf paper
  • 2 pocket folders
  • 2 spiral notebooks
  • a handheld pencil sharpener
  • earbuds, 12 inch laptop sleeves and composition notebooks are also appreciated
• Give online through our partnership with Chick-fil-A of Wilson. Owner/Operator Christy Proctor has partnered with us for over a decade as a way to celebrate her birthday. If you would like to make an online, GoFundMe donation, click the link - https://gofund.me/43c1f101.

The backpacks will be distributed directly to our schools. Staff at the schools will make sure the students who are most in need of a backpack receive one prior to the first day of school. Please complete the attached form by Thurs., July 24, 2025, to let us know the level of commitment that you can provide. Your support means the world! If you have questions, please feel free to contact Director of Public Relations Amber Lynch at amber.lynch@wilsonschoolsnc.net.