Menu

This was our sixth year to fill and deliver backpacks to people in Little Rock who don't have the convenience of a permanent roof over their heads. In 2014 we filled 18 backpacks, and they were delivered on December 25th. (The 2013 backpacks page.)

We know that handing out a backpack at Christmas time will not permanently alter a person's life situation. We cannot fill a backpack and pretend away all the problems that homeless individuals in Little Rock face. That is not our purpose. Our aim is to provide some faithful support for these persons, and ease their situation in an admittedly small way during the Christmas Season. But receiving a backpack such as this can help the person understand that there are people who think of them, and wish them well. By doing this we believe that we are loving our neighbors as the Lord commanded us to do. Furthermore, we are telling them that even though their life situation is not as comfortable as ours, God still loves them. And because of that love, we reach out to them.

In past years, the most frequently used method to get packs filled has been to simply deliver an empty backpack to the volunteer, along with a list of recommended items, and ask that person to shop and fill it as a personal ministry. People asked for between one and four backpacks to fill, this year. We are grateful to the individuals who took single or multiple backpacks to fill in 2014.

As we wrote last year, the cost for items to fill a single backpack can add up to as much as $80.00, depending on the quality of items you select. When possible we try to include new items for everything on the list, because homeless persons rarely receive new things.

This church has an ongoing commitment to show God's love to the displaced. Once a year we fill as many backpacks as we can to distribute to people at Christmas time. Once a Quarter our congregation along with Venture Crew 3 provide the kitchen and serving crew at Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church. Whenever there is a fifth Sunday in the month, we are there to prepare and serve the weekly Community Breakfast. Our efforts are small, but we ask that God will magnify them.

We pray that we can once again fill and provide even more backpacks in 2015. And we pray that we might find some way to increase the number to 100 or more again in the coming years, because the need is there.

Here is the list of Recommended items that we distributed with each empty backpack.

Recommended Items for the 2014 Backpacks for the Homeless
To take away empty and bring back filled

I. Clothing
A. Sweat Shirt  or  Light Coat or Hoodie (L or XL)
B. Sweat Pants (L or XL)
C. Knit Cap
D. Gloves
E. 2 pairs Socks (wool or cotton; NEW)
Please keep in mind that homeless men and women rarely get anything new. If it is within your budget, please get new items A-D. And always provide brand new socks.
You may add new boxers or briefs, long underwear, and so forth if you wish. Extra socks.
Whatever you believe would be useful if you were on the streets in the wintertime.

 II. Hygiene
A. Toothpaste (travel size) and toothbrush
B. Bar of Soap
C. Wash Cloth (NEW)
D. Deodorant
E. Small bottle of Hand Sanitizer

 III. Food
A. 2 500ml Bottles of Bottled Water
B. Mandarin Oranges with a  pull-tab lid
C. 2 cans Beef Stew  or  any Canned Soup with a  pull-tab lid
D. 2 cans Chef Boyardee entrees with pull tab lids
E. 2 cans Vienna Sausages with pull tab lids
F. 2 ea. Granola Bars, Cereal Bars, raisins,   etc.
G. 1 plastic fork, knife and spoon set & paper napkin in ziplock 1 qt. bag
You may include more items in each category if you wish.

 IV. Miscellaneous, optional
A. Blanket & or sleeping bag (if sleeping bag, please fasten to backpack with bungee. Also, please be sure the bag is rated for 0° F.)
B. Tarp, either 8x10 feet or 6x8 feet
C. LED Flashlight (prefer recharging pump or crank type, but battery-powered is OK)
D. Matches  o r  Lighter
E. Small 1st Aid Kit
F. Inspirational booklet  or  small bible.
G. Any other items you want to add.

It’s good to enclose small loose items in Zip-Lock plastic bags.
It doesn’t hurt to include some empty zip lock bags or even grocery bags.

To save money you may omit the sweat-pants and sweatshirt, or buy used items for those two.

If possible, please always  include the food and hygiene items.
Add as many optional and clothing items as you can afford.