VALUE STATEMENT
We believe that Team Backpack reduces some of the hardships homeless teen students face by providing support to keep them mentally focused and in school through what is said to be the most challenging years in life while facing the added stress of living without a permanent home. With the help of donors in the community, it provides backpack and shoulder bags filled with clothing,
personal hygiene supplies, gift cards to food establishments, coats, blankets, and gift items for the long holiday break and into the rest of the academic year. (We have based our #'s on Tacoma's high schools since 2012)
We have 9 primary high schools in Tacoma with an average 8000 students enrolled. Nearly 6% of these students are documented as being homeless and living without permanent form of residents~housing. THIS NUMBER IS COMPLETELY ALARMING! Imagine what it is in your school district!
2012 $5,000 in 18 days
Serving ~ Lincoln High
64 backpacks built and 75 Christmas cards with $5.00 in each
2013 $8,300 in 30 days
Serving ~ Lincoln High
83 backpacks built and misc. food items and gift cards
2014 $28,100 in 60 days
Serving ~ Lincoln, Mt. Tahoma, Oakland High and Willie Stewart Academy
212 backpacks built
$800.00 in food boxes and baby supplies for Oakland High Nursery
2015 $52,866 in 96 days
Serving ~ Lincoln, Oakland, Willie Stewart , Mt. Tahoma, Stadium, Wilson & Foss
417 backpacks built
60 shoulder bags with school supplies
Nearly $1,700 in diapers, wipes and baby formula for Oakland High Nursery
$4,000 set aside for 501(C)(3) & foundation start up costs
2016 GOAL $90,000.00
Long term goals:
- washer/dryer and shower facilities
- food pantries stocked and clothing closets full
- diapers, wipes and formula in stock for
- cap and gown costs
- college applications
- a green house program for every school
- extra inventory on hand
Over the last 4 years we have received help from friends, family and complete strangers in 8 other states. Bristol Bay and North Pole Alaska, North Idaho, Montana, Oregon, California, Texas, Arizona and Utah. We have also influenced 3 other groups out of 8 states to start similar outreach programs in. Everything is done out of my home and @ Tacoma Self Storage. ALL OUR EFFORTS ARE 100% VOLUNTEER! OUR WISH LIST
~ Empty backpacks-shoulder bags to fill
~ Personal Hygiene items like deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, body wash~soap, hair brushes, feminine hygiene products, etc.
~ Clothing, hats, scarfs, gloves, coats, hoodies,
socks, underwear, long sleeve shirts, etc.
~ Lap-blankets
~ Gift cards for food establishments like McDonalds,
Subway, etc.
~ Gift cards to grocery stores
~ Umbrellas
~ Reusable water bottles
~ Flash lite
~ Rain ponchos
~ Non perishable food items
~ 1st Aide Kits
~ Nail grooming kits
~ Fun gifts like books, personal journals-diaries, cards, games, colognes, perfumes, art supplies,
hair accessories
~ Anything you think would bring a smile! ITEMS WE CANNOT ACCEPT AND ARE CONSIDERED CONTRABAND! Knives, razors, medication, matches or lighters, & perishable food items, nail polish, liquid hand sanitizer, hair spray. Executive Board contacts:
Ward, Nicole
Founder & Executive Director
253.278.2892 or 253.678.3474 ~ [email protected]
Russell, Kathy
President
253.370.2277 ~ [email protected]
Phillips, Steve
Vice-President
253.318.3149 ~ [email protected]
Roscoe, Shelley
Secretary
253.380.7971 ~ [email protected]
Phillips, Bobbie
Treasure
253.318.1830 ~ [email protected]
