backpackprojectmn

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Welcome to backpackprojectMN

Backpacks to help homeless youth on their journey from homeless to hopeful.

BackpackProjectMN is simple:

We provide backpacks filled with daily-use personal care items to young people experiencing homelessness in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. All of our backpacks are distributed by experienced outreach personnel at Youthlink MN.

 

How do we do it?

Volunteers collect donated backpacks and items from our supply list and assemble the packs for distribution. We use monetary donations to purchase items from the supply list that have not been donated. Once assembled, we deliver all of the backpacks to outreach organizations like Youthlink MN and Avenues for Homeless Youth, whose outreach workers are on the streets every single day assisting young folks that are homeless.

how can you help?

DONATE. Please see THE LIST and donate new, unused items from it.  They can be shipped to us, dropped off, or we can arrange for local pickup! We can also accept monetary donations: our volunteers will be shopping for items to complete each backpack.

 

Questions?  Email me!  Randy@BackpackProjectMN.com

 

Backpack Project MN is a nonprofit based in Minneapolis, Minnesota serving the Twin Cities Metro Area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. We are run solely by volunteers and are recognized as a 501c3 organization.

Our goal is to assist homeless young people by providing with them backpacks and daily-use personal care items on their journey from

homeless to hopeful.

 

© 2018 Backpack Project MN

dedicated folks making a difference.

What makes us tick.

How you can help.

Thousands of young people in Minnesota are struggling with homelessness. A 2015 study by Wilder Research found there were 9,312 homeless adults and children in Minnesota. The study found that young people are most at risk of homelessness, with children and youth aged 24 and younger the most likely to be homeless. Children with their parents accounted for 35% (3,259) of Minnesota's homeless, while 16% (1,489) are youths (minor and young adult) who are on their own.

 

Source: Amherst Wilder Foundation. Homeless Youth in Minnesota

 

Imagine that for one moment: Being a young person, attending school, after-school functions, doing homework, working a job...and at night searching for a place to sleep because you do not have a home to go to.  And pretending that everything is normal just so you can function every day.

 

 

Backpack Project MN is simple:

We provide backpacks filled with daily-use personal care items to young people experiencing homelessness in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. All of our backpacks are distributed by Youthlink MN by experienced homeless outreach personnel.

 

 

DONATE. Please see THE LIST and donate new, unused items from it.  They can be shipped to us or we can arrange for local pickup! We can also accept monetary donations: our volunteers will be shopping for items to complete each backpack.

 

SPONSOR. If you would like to purchase a complete backpack and ship it to us, or make a monetary donation to buy a complete backpack, please visit our DONATE page for instructions! Thank you!

 

VOLUNTEER. If you would like to help us out with shopping, packing, and assembling the packs or by spreading our message, please contact us!  We need your help!

 

Questions?  Email me!  Randy@BackpackProjectMN.com

 

Backpack Project MN is a nonprofit based in Minneapolis, Minnesota serving the Twin Cities Metro Area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. We are run solely by volunteers and are recognized as a 501c3 organization.

Our goal is to assist homeless young people by providing with them backpacks and daily-use personal care items on their journey from

homeless to hopeful.

 

© 2017 Backpack Project MN

 

This is THE LIST.

Our Mission

the list

We work very hard to make sure that each backpack donated contains at least one of each of the items on this list. The most important items are the BACKPACKS, MENSTRUAL KITS, AND SOCKS. The young people receiving the backpacks are homeless, without shelter, and face very harsh weather in Minnesota. These backpacks end up holding all of their belongings and get heavily used as they navigate shelter, city transportaiton, jobs, school, everything. So please, if you are donating today, make sure the backpacks are sturdy and they are sized and themed appropriately for everyday use by a teenager. We always end up with a colorful variety of items donated, and we make sure to mark the packs male/female depending on colors and contents of the packs.

 

Backpack* (Sturdy, young adult appropriate)

Winter Gloves/Mittens (Please no dollar         store or "magic" gloves, they must be   insulated gloves suitable for winter,       outdoors overnight in Minnesota.)

Winter Hat (Please, no dollar store hats,   they must be thick, warm, and suitable for   winter, outdoors overnight in Minnesota)

Winter Scarf (Please, no dollar store scarves,   they must be suitable for winter, outdoors   overnight in Minnesota)

Socks (Thick winter hiking or athletic socks)

Bandana

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Lotion (2-10oz)

Razors

Deodorant

Dental Floss (standard floss, 100 feet)

Sewing kit (multi kit @Hollar.com is perfect)

Band-Aids/First Aid Kit Items

Gift Card for food ($10, Cub, Target, etc)

Pen/Pencil

Notebook (Spiral or bound, 8.5x11 size)

Flashlight

Gift Item

Tampons/Pads/Liners

Kleenex Travel Pack

Hand Sanitizer

Reusable Water Bottle

Chap Stick

Laundry Pods

Dryer sheets

Hand Warmers

Ziploc bags

Cosmetic items

Cosmetic/toiletry bags

Wet wipes (small travel size!)

Sunscreen

Bug spray

 

We use multiple ziplock bags per backpack, to keep everything sanitary and dry, and to prevent possible leakage.

 

Find us on Facebook to see the most current updates to our inventory. We also have an Amazon Wishlist for easy shopping!

 

*Good, strong backpacks are ESSENTIAL. Please make sure they are STURDY, with good strong zippers and well-made seams. These are for adult-sized teens that use them every day to pack ALL of their belongings, they are used in harsh and challenging conditions. We cannot use promotional quality bulk backpacks, or used backpacks. Thank you!

 

We do not collect clothing or used items.

We need quality, warm winter gear for adults that spend long periods of time outdoors.  This excludes hats, scarves, and gloves that are made for fashion or from dollar stores.

Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for donating!

Questions?  Email me!  Randy@BackpackProjectMN.com

 

Backpack Project MN is a nonprofit based in Minneapolis, Minnesota serving the Twin Cities Metro Area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. We are run solely by volunteers and are recognized as a 501c3 organization.

Our goal is to assist homeless young people by providing with them backpacks and daily-use personal care items on their journey from

homeless to hopeful.

 

© 2018 Backpack Project MN

donate.

donating is easy

monetary donations:

Thank you for considering a donation to Backpack Project MN.

 

These backpacks are a small, but very needed donation to homeless teens in the Twin Cities. Whatever reason that caused their homelessness, these young folks need help.  Once they are trapped in the vicious cycle of homelessness, it is very difficult to escape. Thanks to the folks at Youthlink MN, and many other organizations like The Bridge for Youth, and Avenues for Homeless Youth, many of these kids are able to seek help, shelter, and much needed services to get back on their feet.

 

To donate locally, please email us: randy@backpackprojectmn.com

 

To ship or mail donations:

 

Randy Palmer

Backpack Project MN

3500 46th Ave N

Minneapolis, MN 55422

 

 

Find us on Facebook, to see the most current updates to our inventory. We also have an Amazon Wishlist for easy shopping!

 

Checks may be made to:

Backpack Project MN

 

Please click below if you'd like to make an online donation. Our donations are processed via Square, which is quick, easy, and secure. Your donation reaches us overnight, so it's very convenient! The link goes to our Square store. Thank you!

Questions?  Email me!  Randy@BackpackProjectMN.com

 

Backpack Project MN is a non-profit (pending) group of volunteers based in Minneapolis, Minnesota serving the Twin Cities Metro Area of Minneapolis and

St. Paul.  Our goal is to assist homeless teens by providing with them backpacks and daily-use personal care items on their journey from homeless to hopeful.

 

© 2018 Backpack Project MN