Backpacks of Hope

Backpacks-of-hope-submark
Leaders_backpacks_of_hope
Initiative Leaders for Backpacks of Hope. Dee Faller, Cindy King, and Eden King

Giving foster children something to call their own.

Backpacks of Hope is an initiative of Our Father’s Hope. The backpacks project was started in 2014 by then 10 year old Eden King. The year before, her family was adopting a baby in a NICU. While in the waiting room, Eden was given an activity bag made by a local Girl Scout troop. She wondered how she could start something similar. Because of her family’s involvement in foster care, she decided to create something to help this population.
When children enter foster care, they often do so with little to nothing to call their own. If the child has anything to take into his new home, it’s usually shoved into a garbage bag. On the other end, foster families often don’t know the age or gender of a child coming into their home until just before the child arrives. Having a backpack with supplies and comfort items gives the child something to call her own and helps the new family with everything a child would need for the first night, giving them time with the child rather than needing to run to the store right away.
We work with Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry, York, and Lebanon Children and Youth agencies, supplying them with filled backpacks to be given to children transitioning into care. Each backpack contains pajamas, a blanket, a stuffed animal, toiletries, and a flashlight. Then the bag is stuffed full of anything else appropriate for a child or teen of that age. You can donate just one item or a complete backpack. We will tag them and donate to local CYS offices.

Donation Drop-Off Locations

BOH accepts donations at any time in Mechanicsburg at The Cracked Pot (where you receive a discount if you bring a BOH donation). In Dillsburg, donations can be dropped off at Kingdom Focused Financial. Please see the links for locations and individual websites for business hours.

Mechanicsburg

The Cracked Pot Coffee Shop

Strock Enterprises, Inc.

Dillsburg

Wellsville

Country Clipper

Ways to Help

Backpacks of Hope is an initiative of Our Father’s Hope, planting seeds of hope for vulnerable children in Central PA. OFH is a non-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt charitable organization. All contributions to Our Father’s Hope, Inc. are tax-deductible as allowable by law.

Backpacking 101
73225289_2714841205244304_3752525265956241408_o

Donate Items

Not ready to fill a whole bag? Donate single items!

Backpacks
Pajamas
Toiletries newborns - teens
Stuffed animals
Flashlights and nightlights
Blankets (no larger than 5’X6’)
Underwear - all sizes
Socks - all sizes
Hats, gloves, scarves
School supplies
Coloring books
Crayons, markers, colored pencils
Small games
Small toys
Books

37421768_1894380753957024_1915667388108374016_o

Fill a Bag

Want to fill a bag for a foster child in
Central PA?

Follow these simple
directions:

1. Purchase a backpack and PJs, any size, newborn - teens.
2. Purchase each of the following for the age/size you have chosen: age-appropriate blanket, toiletries, stuffed animal, and a flashlight (or nightlight if PJs are size 3T
or smaller).

This is all that is required in each bag. We do accept used items as long as they do not appear used.

3. If you’d like, stuff the backpack full of any age-appropriate items such as underwear, socks, books, games, toys, gloves, hat, scarf, school supplies, coloring book, crayons or markers, etc.
4. Take your completed bag to one of our drop off locations listed below!

Not sure what to purchase?

Check out our Amazon Wish List for ideas.
Amazon Wish List

For live updates and immediate needs visit our Facebook page.

Our Father's Hope Facebook Page

Contact Us

14 Broadmoor Drive

Mechanicsburg pa 17055

(717) 991-8243

OFH is a non-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt charitable organization. All contributions to Our Father’s Hope, Inc. are tax-deductible as allowable by law.

Contact

Caring for Vulnerable Children in Central Pennsylvania

Drop-off for Naomi’s Closet of Hope

Meadow Ridge Dentistry
2120 Fisher Rd., Mechanicsburg, PA
Bin on main level

West Shore Free Church
1345 Williams Grove Rd., Mechanicsburg
Marked bins on each level

Crossroads Community Church
1425 S. Market St., Mechanicsburg
During church office hours only

Or email ofh4kids@gmail.com

Drop-off for Backpacks of Hope

The Cracked Pot Coffee Shop
130 Gettysburg Pike, Mechanicsburg
Mon-Thurs 7 am - 4 pm, Fri 7 am - 8 pm, Sat 8 am - 4 pm

Kingdom Focused Financial
129 Harrisburg St, Dillsburg
Mon-Thurs 8:30 am - 5 pm, Fri 8:30 am - 4 pm

Strock Enterprises, Inc.
729 Williams Grove Rd, Mechanicsburg
Mon-Fri at the main office, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Country Clipper
3365 Rosstown Rd, Wellsville
Tues-Thurs 8 am - 8 pm, Fri 8 am - 3 pm, Sat 8 am - 2 pm

Or email ofh4kids@gmail.com