Hope Missions, Other Groups Team Up for Backpack Campaign

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Hope Missions of the Upstate is teaming up with other Anderson charities to provide 300 backpacks for our neighbors, friends and family in the community who need help.

Hope Missions, located in downtown Anderson, provides a daily breakfast for the area’s homeless – with the help of local volunteers (who consider themselves servants of the less fortunate) - as well as serving as a warming shelter for Anderson County when the weather turns cold.

They are now looking for a source for quality backpacks as well as a list of essential items with which to fill the packs.

So far, representatives from 16 agencies in Anderson, including AIM, Anderson Emergency Soup Kitchen, Anderson Free Clinic, Asher House, Clean Start, Community Resource Guide, Family Promise, FAVOR Upstate, Grace Episcopal, HOPE Missions, NewSpring Church, Rejuvenate Church, South Main Chapel & Mercy Center, St Johns Clothes Closet, The LOT Project, United Way, and Upstate Warrior Solution are involved in the project.

The following list contains items these organizations consider useful to someone who might be without a permanent residence. The list is intended to begin collection for the backpacks: baby powder, belts, bibles, blankets, open bus tickets, deodorant, chap stick, duct, electrolyte packs, energy bar, first aid kits, flashlight with batteries, gloves, hoodies, hand warmers, hygiene kits, ibuprofen (individual 2-packs). laminated wallet-sized bus routes, mints gum, multi-vitamins, nametags, notebook with pen, ponchos, sleeping bags, small wallets, soap, socks, sunglasses, sunscreen, toboggan/stocking caps, compact umbrella, Ziplock bags.

For more information or to donate items, money or time to Hope Missions, contact dave@hopeupstate.org