06/02/2026
JUNE COMPASSIONATE MINISTRY DRIVE: BACKPACKS
1 Drive / 2 Reasons
One year while I was volunteering as a leader for a troop at Boy Scout Camp, one of our boys was dropped off by his mom, with very little gear, no backpack, only plastic grocery sacks. Some of the other adult leaders that I was with went to get more clothes (he only had one extra pair of underwear for a week long camp), I picked up the toiletries (tweenagers need deoderant and soap!) We even had a spare sleeping bag that we loaned him so he could make it through the week. If he actually would have had gear, all that he had, would have been relegated to storage in plastic dollar store bags. This young man was stuck on the margins of society.
Another time I was sitting outside of my daughters high school waiting to pick her up and I started to count the number of youth who had huge handfuls of books and stuff unorganized and almost falling out of their hands. Over time, I noticed it was always the same kids; always walking, no ride for them. No fancy backpacks, no trapper keepers, just loose paper, the schools Chromebooks and handfuls of books.
Fast forward to today, we at The Hope ConneXion Outreach Center see countless individuals living in the margin who would benefit from the right kind of backpack. Some kids just need a good book bag for school and that same book bag may benefit a person who utilizes a bicycle or a scooter as a primary source of transportation.
However, many individuals who are coming through need to store more than books. This is where large day packs, military style molle bags, and even backpacking bags would be of real benefit as they make their way through the world, giving them a chance to hold onto more of their important items that help them maintain their grip on humanity.
In the month of June we collect backpacks to help those who are living in the margins, whether young or old, big or little, these backpacks will help us serve those who are not able to carry their stuff without fist loads of grocery sacks.
Help us be of service to the consumers and sojourners who come through our doors. Help us be of service to the City of Hope.
In God's Love,
Adam D. Perry
