CARING FOR KIDS BACKPACKS

Bismarck Optimist Club packs an average of 35 cinch sack-type backpacks each month for kids of all ages – infant to high school - living with their family in area homeless shelters. While there are some essentials included each month, the focus is on fun! The contents of a typical backpack include a toothbrush and toothpaste, socks, snack items such as cookies, crackers, fruit snacks and candy, a book, activity pad and crayons or colored pencils, a pen and pencil with eraser and sharpener along with a toy and/or a stuffed animal and hotel-size toiletries. Hats and gloves are added in the winter months. Although MSA United Way acts as the liaison between our club and the shelters we supply, our program is not affiliated with the weekly weekend food bags the community helps United Way provide to kids through schools.