Businesses, Residents Collect Backpacks In Honor Of Backpack Lady

DUNEDIN, FL — She was known only as "the Backpack Lady."

That's the way Phyllis Ditro preferred it. For years, she donated backpacks for needy children anonymously to a church in Dunedin.

It wasn't until her death that her son, Rob Ditro, discovered his mother's secret donations.

Now Ditro is honoring his mother by carrying on her mission, hosting the Backpack Lady Project. Over the years, the project has collected more than 10,000 backpacks and school supplies for every elementary school in Pinellas County.

Already, dozens of businesses and individuals have donated to the cause including the Dunedin Run Club, Big Buildings Direct, Madison Avenue Pizza, PHDermatology, Homeowners Financial Group, Countryside Glass & Mirror, Blake Real Estate, Single Source Insurance and Lock & Key Team at EXP.

Residents are invited to participate by bringing backpacks filled with school supplies or just school supplies to the SPC Zachary L. Shannon Memorial VFW Post 2550, 360 Douglas Ave., on Monday at 6:30 p.m.

Or residents can support the effort by making a donation to the Backpack Lady Project Paypal account.