The project has come to an end for 2023 with 223 backpacks filled and picked up by Women's Habitat, Ernestine's Women's Shelter and Native Child and Family Services. 

Thanks to all of you who donated and supported the program! 

Until next year...

Monique

How to support the program!

 This year, we have 2 ways to support the program.

1. Use the Signup Genius to pick your age and gender. Fill a backpack using the backpack contents list on the blog. Drop off the backpack between August 14th and 16th at 3 Cardigan Road. High schoolers get 2 hours of volunteer hours per backpack. Click on the Sign Up Genius icon.

2. Purchase items for our Amazon Wishlist. 

https://www.amazon.ca/hz/wishlist/ls/2K2PTJZ1K4XFJ?ref_=wl_share

Any questions? Need to drop off on an alternate date? Send me an email at backpacks101project@gmail.com

Each backpack makes a difference for a child's first day at school! 

Thank you ! 

Monique

Backpacks 101 Project 2023

 The Backpacks project is ready to collect filled backpacks for underserved children in our community. Since 2007, we have been filling backpacks for children in shelters in West Toronto. This year, the backpacks will go to Women's Habitat, Ernestine's Women's Shelter as well the Native Child and Family Services of Toronto. 

Once again JAMdirect will be filling and donating backpacks to help us reach our goal. 

We will only be accepting filled backpacks. High School students will be able to receive 2 volunteer hours per backpack that they fill. In order to fill a backpack, you can sign up on the Sign up Genius form to choose your age category and gender.

 Drop off will be from August 14th to August 16th.  

Backpacks 101 Project 2022!

 Here we go again! Another year of backpacks is upon us! This year the backpacks will be going to Women's Habitat, Ernestine's Women's Shelter and the Native Child and Family Services of Toronto. 
Once again JAMdirect will be filling and donating backpacks to help us reach our goal. 

This year, we will only be accepting filled backpacks. High School students will be able to receive 2 volunteer hours per backpack that they fill. In order to fill a backpack, you can sign up on the Sign up Genius form to choose your age category and gender. Drop off will be from August 15th to August 17th. 

Sign up here to fill a backpack! 

Thank you for supporting our program! 

The Backpacks 101 Project has begun for 2021!

 The Backpacks 101 Project is back for 2021! Last year amid the pandemic, we were able to collect and fill 100 backpacks. This year, to honour the lives of Indigenous children, our goal is to fill 215 backpacks. We are adding 2 Indigenous Centres to the list of shelters that we have been donating to for many years. The 2 centres that support Indigenous women and children are Anduhyaun Inc. and The Native Women's Resource Centre of Toronto. We are also donating to Women's Habitat, Ernestine's Women's Shelter and Youth Without Shelter. 

There are several ways you can support the project. 

1. Make a monetary donation

2. Fill a backpack using the SignupGenius. Please deliver the backpacks to 3 Cardigan Road between August 9th.-12th

3. Share with a friend on Social Media.

4. Organize a fundraiser with your Book Club, friends, classmates.

Thanks go to  SCOTIABANK and JAM Direct for their generous support of the Backpacks 101 Project!

 

I have decided to make a goal to fill 101 backpacks for the children at Women's Habitat and Ernestine's Women's Shelter and Youth Without Shelter. This is considerably less than we have filled in the last few years but the difficulties with Covid-19 have made it this way. 

We will also change the way the backpacks are done. There are now 2 ways to help:

1. Make a financial contribution on the GOFUNDME page before August 6th, 2020. 

2. Fill a backpack! 
Please sign up on the SignupGenius link (click above)
Go to the Backpacks content list to see what items are required for each age group. 

Deliver to 3 Cardigan Road on August 12th or 13th. 

I will not be accepting supplies this year.

Thank you so much for your generosity!!

For questions, please email me at backpacks101project@gmail.com

Monique 

Helping out during Covid-19

Dear Community members,

The Backpacks 101 Project for 2020 is currently in limbo due to store closures, and physical distancing. We would, however, like to give back to our community and help the shelters in this great time of need.

I am proposing the Touchless Project to Touch Some Hearts. Our first initiative was a food drive for Women's Habitat and Youth Without Shelter. I want to thank all of you that participated by dropping off food or donating money to purchase food. We delivered 3 full boxes of non-perishables as well as two huge lasagnas as well as Ravioli to YWS (Thank you to Queen's Pasta for donating the Ravioli!) We also donated boxes of food and school items to Women's Habitat.

I would like to continue to support Women's Habitat as they hold a food pick up every two weeks. I have also started making cloth masks and would like to donate them where needed.

How can you help?

*Donate cotton material, any size as long as it is bigger than 9" x 9 ". thread or elastic (1/4") 
*Donate non-perishable foods and baby items (see list)
*Make a BOGO mask purchase. Buy one, Give One. I will donate one where needed. The donation will be $5 and can be sent via e-transfer or dropped off as cash. 

If you would like to help, please send me an email at backpacks101project@gmail.com

For the babies

1. Enfamil A+ powder, baby formula, 0 to 12 months (yellow container).

2. Similac Sensitive Lactose Sensitivity Step 1 Orange Container     

3. Enfagrow A+ Vanilla 12-36 months Pink container

4. Heinz Farley’s biscuits

5. Fruit pouches for babies like PC brand or GoGo squeeze

6.  Baby wash and baby lotion 

7.  Baby bottles (PC brand) 

8.  Baby’s first books 

For the moms at the shelter:

9. Snacks for kids: apple sauce, juices, granola bars, popcorn.

10. Laundry detergent (liquid - regular size bottle so we can give one per family) 

11. Toothpaste


Thank you in advance, Continue to stay home and stay healthy.