Backpack Project MN

Backpack Project MN Backpack Project MN is a 501(c)(3) organization that helps homeless youth in the Twin Cities Metro area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Paul, Minnesota. DONATE.

Backpack Project MN is a 501(c)(3) organization that helps homeless young people in the Twin Cities Metro area of Minneapolis and St. Backpack Project MN is simple:
We provide backpacks filled with daily-use personal care items to homeless youth in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area of Minneapolis and St. All of our backpacks are distributed by experienced outreach personnel at shelters and resourc

e centers. How do we do it? Volunteers collect donated backpacks and items from our supply list and assemble the packs for distribution. We use monetary donations to purchase items from the supply list that have not been donated. Once assembled, we deliver all of the backpacks to outreach organizations like Youthlink MN and Avenues for Homeless Youth, whose outreach workers are on the streets every single day assisting young folks that are homeless. How can you help? Please see THE LIST and donate new, unused items from it. They can be shipped to us, dropped off, or we can arrange for local pickup! We can also accept monetary donations: our volunteers will be shopping for items to complete each backpack. The Winter List:
Backpack* (Sturdy, young adult appropriate)
Winter Gloves/Mittens (Outdoor appropriate)
Winter Hat (Outdoor appropriate)
Winter Scarf (Outdoor appropriate)
Warm Socks (Thick winter hiking/work socks)
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Soap (3-16oz liquid, or bar)
Shampoo (3-13oz)
Lotion (2-10oz)
Razors
Shaving Cream
Deodorant
Dental Floss (standard floss, not picks)
Sewing kit (multi kit Tree is perfect)
Band-Aids/First Aid Kit Items
Gift Certificate (Fast-food, Target, etc)
Pen/Pencil
Notebook (Spiral or bound, 8.5x11 size)
Flashlight
Gift Item
Tampons/Pads/Liners)
Kleenex Travel Pack
Hand Sanitizer
Reusable Water Bottle
Chap Stick
Laundry Pods
Dryer sheets
Hand Warmers
Ziploc bags
Cosmetic items
Cosmetic/toiletry bags
Wet wipes (small travel size!)

Any liquid or semi-liquid MUST be packed inside Ziplock bags to prevent leakage! Shampoo, soap, toothpaste, deodorant...anything that can leak or spray must be in a bag. We use multiple ziplock bags per backpack!

*Good, strong backpacks are the MOST ESSENTIAL ITEMS. Please make sure they are STURDY, with good strong zippers and well-made seams. These are for adult-sized teens that use them every day to pack ALL of their belongings, they are used in harsh and challenging conditions. Thank you!

Hello Backpackers! Happy Spring!Can you believe is March 2026 already? It seems like yesterday we were delivering backpa...
03/25/2026

Hello Backpackers! Happy Spring!

Can you believe is March 2026 already? It seems like yesterday we were delivering backpacks in the snow for Christmas!

We are gearing up for Graduation + Summer Backpacks! We can't wait to send out backpacks full of HOPE (and a ton of much needed survival supplies for homeless young folks!) this year! We are still working on our inventory, but numbers are starting to come in and I wanted to share them so we can get a head start on supplies! We will pack Graduation Backpacks in May (And we need at least 60 of everything on the list by mid May!), and Summer Backpacks in July!

One thing to note: We are SO grateful for the wonderful donations we received for the backpack purchase! Thank you to soooooo many folks that donated, and to Karen Rodgers and fam for making that deal happen! We will continue to collect adult sized, quality backpacks though so that all of our backpacks are not identical: It's very, very important that our bags do not look uniform..because then they become targets for anyone carrying them, and we do not want that! So if you find a deal on great backpacks, please share so we can continue to collect them. We will likely pack half random backpacks, and half of our big backpack purchase this round!

We also need to continue to collect funds for our Warehouse fund. It is expensive to store everything, and have a space to prep and pack, that is accessible to everyone, and safe....and that has a bathroom. :). If you can help us with a monetary donation towards our rent, that would be absolutely wonderful. We have funds to keep the lights on through the first half of the year...but after that, well, I'd rather not think of that.

Here is our Most Needed List, for March 24, 2026! Numbers will continue to change, I have some boxes that came in that have not been counted yet!

Most Needed:

130 $10 Food Gift Cards (Fast-food, Target, Cub, etc)

160 Adult Sturdy Backpacks
420 Mens Adult Athletic Socks

420 Womens Adult Athletic Socks

203 Toothpaste

133 Dental Floss

143 Lotion

493 Razors (Mens and Womens)

103 Mens Deodorant

83 Womens Deodorant

260 Sewing Kits

153 Band Aid Kits

100 Spiral School Notebooks

260 Flashlights + Batteries

93 Wireless Earbuds

53 Cell Phone Power Banks

MANY Regular and Light Tampons

MANY Regular and Light Menstrual Pads

440 Travel Pack Tissues

160 Reusable Water Bottles

433 Lip Balm

337 Travel Size Wet Wipes NON SANITIZING

190 Colored Pencil Sets

168 Adult Sketch or Coloring Books

223 Pencil Sharpeners

133 Rectangle Erasers

If you’d like to donate, mail and packages can be sent to:

Backpack Project MN

3500 46th Ave N

Robbinsdale MN 55422

Financial donations through our website go to our account overnight!

[http://backpackprojectmn.com/](http://backpackprojectmn.com/)

We can also receive donations through Paypal and Venmo!

Through PayPal: [https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=GKQGEWFDLTQZY](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=GKQGEWFDLTQZY)

Through Venmo! [https://venmo.com/code?user_id=4100658454070519327&created=1722114901.553175&printed=1Or](https://venmo.com/code?user_id=4100658454070519327&created=1722114901.553175&printed=1Or)

Thank you again to our amazing donors or getting us this far!!

02/24/2026

Thank you Sauser-Monnig!

BACKPACKERS!!!!WE DID IT!!Thank you to so many AMAZING donors, you donations raised just over $2500, allowing us to orde...
02/18/2026

BACKPACKERS!!!!
WE DID IT!!
Thank you to so many AMAZING donors, you donations raised just over $2500, allowing us to order backpacks at a much reduced cost! This is so fantastic...not only does this supply 300 young folks with fresh, new, quality backpacks, but it opens the door for us to be able to purchase backpacks at SUCH a great price in the future. THIS IS HUGE!!

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!!

Hi Backpackers!We have been trying, for years, to find a backpack manufacturer (that makes QUALITY backpacks that will l...
02/16/2026

Hi Backpackers!

We have been trying, for years, to find a backpack manufacturer (that makes QUALITY backpacks that will last!) that will work with us on a bulk order, and Karen Rodgers had a breakthrough last week with one of our very favorite backpack makers, Fuel!

They offered us a very sweet deal: $8 per backpack...but we have to order at least 300. For us, that is an incredible, incredible deal...backpack prices have been soaring and we rarely find usable backpacks for under $15 now!

Can you help us out by donating towards the cost of them? We do have to pay shipping, so the cost comes in at just under $2500. We really do not want to let this opportunity pass us by.

As always, we accept tax-deductilbe contributions through mail, our website, Venmo, and Paypal:

You may mail donations to:
Backpack Project MN
3500 46th Ave N
Robbinsdale MN 55422

Financial donations through our website go to our account overnight!
http://backpackprojectmn.com/

Through PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=GKQGEWFDLTQZY

Through Venmo! https://venmo.com/code?user_id=4100658454070519327&created=1722114901.553175&printed=1Or

Thank you so much backpackers!! This is a break we have been waiting for, we would love to develop a relationship with this supplier for the future!

Backpackers!Today is our deadline! And we have almost everything we need, we just need about 40 more Food Gift Cards! Fo...
12/01/2025

Backpackers!

Today is our deadline! And we have almost everything we need, we just need about 40 more Food Gift Cards! For new folks: We put a $10 food card in a hand written card in every backpack. We like food cards for anywhere that is convenient to Minnepolis for a young person to get something to eat and warm up in the winter. Target is a good option, we know young folks will buy a dollar item to eat, or a banana, and reuse the food card as long as they can, while they warm up and charge devices in the cafe/coffee area. We also like Cub Foods Gift Cards, McDonalds, Subway, Burger King...just about anywhere that has food, warm drinks, bathrooms, and maybe a place to charge up at.

At this point I need food cards ASAP. The easiest way to help is to donate funds, I'm buying cards tonight and tomorrow!

If you'd like to help with the last 40 cards, donations through our website go to our account overnight!

[http://backpackprojectmn.com/](http://backpackprojectmn.com/)

We can also receive donations through Paypal and Venmo!

Through PayPal: [https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=GKQGEWFDLTQZY](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=GKQGEWFDLTQZY)

Through Venmo! [https://venmo.com/code?user_id=4100658454070519327&created=1722114901.553175&printed=1Or](https://venmo.com/code?user_id=4100658454070519327&created=1722114901.553175&printed=1Or)

Thank you again to our amazing donors or getting us this far!!

Backpackers!We have made sooooo much amazing progress, whittling down our needed list! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!...
11/25/2025

Backpackers!

We have made sooooo much amazing progress, whittling down our needed list! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!

We have one more week to collect these last items:

$23,480 To Keep Our Warehouse!

120 $10 Food Gift Cards ($10 each, Target, Cub, McDs, Subway, etc)

286 Womens Athletic Socks

84 Cell Phone Power Banks

52 Wireless Earbuds

79 Reusable Water Bottles

We have many many donations coming in daily, and there are about 7 boxes in my car I didn't get to sort tonight, so there may be women's socks in there!

Funds are tight. We absolutely need financial donations right now to fund our lease. But we also need a few more items for the backpacks, so if you can help, we would love it!

Donations can be sent to:

Backpack Project MN

3500 46th Ave N

Robbinsdale MN 55422

Financial donations through our website go to our account overnight!

[http://backpackprojectmn.com/](http://backpackprojectmn.com/)

We can also receive donations through Paypal and Venmo!

Through PayPal: [https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=GKQGEWFDLTQZY](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=GKQGEWFDLTQZY)

Through Venmo! [https://venmo.com/code?user_id=4100658454070519327&created=1722114901.553175&printed=1Or](https://venmo.com/code?user_id=4100658454070519327&created=1722114901.553175&printed=1Or)

Thank you again to our amazing donors or getting us this far!!

So many things to be grateful for today!! Karl Herman - State Farm Insurance Agent is running Free Pics with Santa today...
11/22/2025

So many things to be grateful for today!! Karl Herman - State Farm Insurance Agent is running Free Pics with Santa today while Chriss Garlick Reichow and I are sorting massive amounts of donations at the warehouse and vacuum sealing tampon packs, while many folks are shopping for donations for us today! It’s absolutely wonderful!!

11/20/2025

2 days out !! 🎅 🎅

‘Free PICS with ‘

Saturday, November 22nd
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
6620 Penn Ave S

Karl Herman - State Farm Insurance Agent
Northland Santa
Backpack Project MN




Karl Herman Kate Herman Brad Devereaux Katie Rosendahl Sean Fitzpatrick Gabrielle Pataki Andrew Crandall Rebecca Hallin Kelly Devereaux

Happy Sunday Evening, Backpackers!WOW! We had a fantastic day at the warehouse yesterday!! Thank you to so many folks th...
11/17/2025

Happy Sunday Evening, Backpackers!
WOW! We had a fantastic day at the warehouse yesterday!! Thank you to so many folks that showed up to help us pack up kits! We packed all of the coloring kits, tampon kits, pad kits, clean-up kits, recycled cardboard....so many things were done!

We have some inventory updates! We are getting closer to our goal of 200 full backpacks, but still need quite a bit of help! We have 15 days to collect all the items on this list! Can you help? Every donation counts!

$24,310 To Keep Our Warehouse!
60 Backpacks: Sturdy, Adult-Sized
168 $10 Food Gift Cards
80 Mens Insulated Winter Gloves
89 Womens Insulated Winter Gloves
68 Winter Scarves
46 Thermal Socks
336 Mens Athletic Socks
370 Womens Athletic Socks
39 Mens Deodorant
63 Womens Deodorant
84 Cell Phone Power Banks
75 Wireless Earbuds
79 Reusable Water Bottles
200 Wet Wipes (Travel Size Only, non-sanitizing)

If you’d like to donate, mail and packages can be sent to:
Backpack Project MN
3500 46th Ave N
Robbinsdale MN 55422

Financial donations through our website go to our account overnight!
http://backpackprojectmn.com/

We can also receive donations through Paypal and Venmo!
Through PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=GKQGEWFDLTQZY

Through Venmo! https://venmo.com/code?user_id=4100658454070519327&created=1722114901.553175&printed=1Or

11/13/2025
Happy Sunday, Backpackers!We've made serious progress! Thank you to sooooo many folks that have donated! We have less th...
11/09/2025

Happy Sunday, Backpackers!
We've made serious progress! Thank you to sooooo many folks that have donated! We have less than a month to gather our inventory, but it feels great making strides like this!

The items we still need most, today, November 9:
$25,195 To Keep Our Warehouse!
63 Backpacks: Sturdy, Adult-Sized
168 $10 Food Gift Cards (Target, Cub, McDs, Subway, etc)
80 Mens Insulated Winter Gloves
89 Womens Insulated Winter Gloves
78 Winter Insulated Scarves
46 Thermal Socks
336 Mens Athletic Socks
370 Womens Athletic Socks
39 Mens Deodorant
63 Womens Deodorant
90 Cell Phone Power Banks
85 Wireless Earbuds
79 Reusable Water Bottles
132 Cosmetic/Toiletry Bags
153 Wet Wipes (Travel Size Only, non-sanitizing)
106 Colored Penciles/Colored Marker sets
111 Adult Sketch or Coloring Books
142 Pencil Sharpeners
100 Square Erasers

If you’d like to donate, mail and packages can be sent to:
Backpack Project MN
3500 46th Ave N
Robbinsdale MN 55422

Financial donations through our website go to our account overnight!
http://backpackprojectmn.com/

We can also receive donations through Paypal and Venmo!
Through PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=GKQGEWFDLTQZY

Through Venmo! https://venmo.com/code?user_id=4100658454070519327&created=1722114901.553175&printed=1Or

Thank you again to our amazing donors or getting us this far!!

$865.87!This is the amount we need to cover for the rest of the items to finish our inventory for the Late Summer backpa...
08/27/2025

$865.87!
This is the amount we need to cover for the rest of the items to finish our inventory for the Late Summer backpacks we will assemble next week.

Would you like to help sponsor these last items? Making a financial donation towards these last few items would help us out a lot!

Checks can be maiked to:
Backpack Project MN
3500 46th Ave N
Robbinsdale MN 55422

We can also accept donations at our website:

http://backpackprojectmn.com/tablet/index.html

Through PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=GKQGEWFDLTQZY

Or through Venmo! https://venmo.com/code?user_id=4100658454070519327&created=1722114901.553175&printed=1Or

Address

3500 46th Avenue N
Robbinsdale, MN
55422

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