Help At-Risk and Homeless Children in Portland

Greetings! And Happy New Year!

We are happy to report that in 2014, Global Backpack Project provided more than 600 girls and boys with backpacks and school supplies in the Portland area. That is 200 more than in 2013! And it was made possible by generous donors and supporters like you. It truly does take a village.

Although we are beginning the year anew, there continues to be a great need in our community. In Multnomah County, 28% of the population in poverty is children under age 18, and 23% of the county’s children under age 18 are in poverty. The decline in living-wage jobs, increasing economic inequality and the erosion of the social safety net are contributing factors in the increasing number of families in poverty. There are, however, many wonderful organizations that are working hard to assist families reach self-sufficiency. We are proud to partner with a number of these, including: Portland Homeless Family Solutions, Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA), Neighborhood House, Second Step Housing, and New Avenues for Youth.

Your partnership is also helping us to make a tangible difference in the lives of hundreds of girls and boys by providing them with a backpack full of hope.  

We wish you much health, happiness and prosperity in the New Year. 

With gratitude, 

The Global Backpack Project Team 

Greetings, 

Fall is here and school is in full swing. More than 48,000 students are enrolled in Portland's Public Schools; 4,200 of whom are kindergarteners, the class of 2027, the next generation. It's so important that these kids feel prepared as they began their educational journey. That's where we try and help. In Multnomah County, 23% of children under 18 live in poverty. Families and children face numerous hardships and lack many essentials. Providing a backpack with school supplies can be a bright light in what can sometimes be a dark place. With your generous support, we delivered more than 600 backpacks and school supplies to vulnerable and homeless children in our community this past September. With the help of our partners, Neighborhood House, Portland Family Homeless Solutions, New Avenues for Youth, and Second Step Housing, kids started the 2014-2015 school year equipped for a successul year. 

Here is what our partners and families had to say:

"[The backpacks] are amazing!! Thank you so much for bringing them by. Our youth are going to love them!" 

"Having a backpack and the correct school supplies are such an important part of the first day of school, and your donation helped start the children in our program off on the right foot."

"Thank you so much for all the help, you have no idea how this helps."

We provide backpacks and school supplies to children in need year-round. Thank you for helping us to make this possible. Thank you for making a difference in the life of a child.