Volunteers fill 66 backpacks with donated items for homeless

The Backpacks of Love campaign just wrapped up its fourth campaign, and once again the community gave generously.

It's organized by the Compassionate Committee for the Homeless in North Bay and volunteers packed 66 backpacks filled with donated toothbrushes, toothpaste, soaps, antiperspirant, lip balm, socks, emergency blankets, ball caps, and more. 

“Once again, we had a great outpouring of generosity and compassion from the community!” stated Leah Pierce, chairperson. “A heartfelt thank-you to the North Bay churches, businesses, organizations, and individuals who donated essential items and monies during the drop-off day."

In addition to the backpacks, bags of feminine hygiene products were donated to The Gathering Place, the AIDS Committee of North Bay, Healthy Community Ambassador Program, True Self, Boots on the Ground, Catholic Charities and Open Arms Café. These are frontline organizations that provide much-needed assistance to the homeless in North Bay.

The Compassionate Committee for the Homeless in North Bay was created in February 2021, and based on research conducted, the Backpacks of Love campaign was born.

“With 10 churches involved, and 17 volunteers through faith, service and social justice we are addressing the urgent needs of the homeless and are engaging with all levels of government to ensure that homelessness is front and centre in the political arena,” states Pierce.

The committee is now working on a new initiative and details will be released soon on its Facebook page.

The committee is made up of the faithful from churches primarily in North Bay’s downtown, who have joined together to address the immediate needs of the homeless.