For several years now, the Backpack Brigade—a group of three men and six women—has been meeting every Monday morning at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on St. Mary’s Street. The church has been so generous to let us work and store our supplies there all these years.
Every week, the nine of us make approximately 200—250 adult backpacks and 160 children backpacks. Adult backpacks hold a blanket, hygiene pack, and a pad with two pencils. The children’s backpacks also have a doodle pad (which they love), a stuffed toy, and a mask. Migrants are so appreciative of the backpacks—not only for their practical use but because it makes them feel welcome.
IWC Coordinating Director Tori Salas orders the supplies. Members from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints pick up the filled backpacks and take them to Travis Park Church, where they are stored until IWC volunteers take them to the bus station.
It takes a village!
