Backpacks For Kids In Crisis-Resources

Ordering

Each Backpack or Duffel Bag costs $3 to order. You may order whatever quantity you want. Orders may contain requests for backpacks, or duffel bags. It doesn't have to be either backpacks or duffel bags when placing a request order. The check amount is figured by the total number of bags requested times $3. Checks are to be payable to the NE-IA District Kiwanis Foundation.

Orders are to be sent to the state's project person. Iowa clubs send their orders to Jody Melcher; Nebraska clubs send their orders to Alan Cox.

Once the order is received by the state's contact person, arrangements will be made to ship the bags to the individual whose name is listed on the order form.

Order blanks can be found in the resource section of this website, and order blanks can be photocopied from the brochure.

Multiple orders can be made. This will be an ongoing project.

FAQ about the for Backpacks for Kids Project

Have a question about the Backpack Project? The answer might be found here. If not, click the appropriate sate contact button below, and your question might be answered there.

Backpacks and Duffel bags

Bag Contents

What do we put into the bag?

Items put into the bag are up to the club. Remember, children are suddenly removed from a crisis situation immediately, and there generally is little time for them to grab necessity items. Nor will they know how long they will be away from their home. That is why each bag must be filled differently because the club will not know whether it is is a boy, or girl, and what age they are. That is why it is important to work closely with your crisis center.

A book, a blanket, along with a snack or small toy or game is important as well as a toothbrush and toothpaste . Younger children might need diapers, baby shampoo, items like that. Gender specific items are an important consideration.

When working with a crisis center, your club may decide to just provide a gift card. Agencies are savvy buyers. But, check with the agency on the appropriateness of a gift card.

Contents

Getting bags to clubs

Getting bags to the clubs

Every effort is being made to hold down needless expense. Clubs are encouraged to the pick up bags at a point that is closest to them. Bags can be picked up at a divisional meetings, or interclub meetings, or at district gatherings. If need be, the bags will be shipped to the club. Those that have been designated to receive the bags for distribution to the clubs, are divisional trustees, and they might deliver the bags.

There are four sites in Iowa designated as distribution points, and there are four sites in Nebraska that are designated as distribution points.

When an order is placed with the Iowa contact for the project, or the contact for Nebraska, those respective contact individuals will inform the distribution point nearest to the club to the availability, and make arrangements for those bags to be delivered to that club in an orderly manner.

Gift Cards

How do i know what to put in a bag?

Order

Suggested items to put in bags

Iowa Contact

Nebraska Contact

Gift Cards

Gift cards might be an option for a club. Visit with a local store owner or manager about this. They might be willing to donate extra items. Mention to them that this will be used a crisis center. Who knows, that crisis center might be using that store anyway to get their supplies. And, if they aren't, well, they will have to use it. But, investigate more with the store, and the agency about the appropriateness of a gift card.

One agency executive director has stated that when they receive a gift card, the director or their designee does the shopping. Those cards are listed as donations to the agency.

Visit with the agency to find out their preference. They know where they get their supplies the cheapest.

On the other hand, clubs shopping for the contents of the bag can be a fun excursion.

It is the club's decision how they should proceed.

Suggested items to put in bags

Work with local agency. They will let you know the age and gender of a child (see FAQ - How do i know what to put in a bag?).

Gift cards might be nice, but it is more personal if a club packs the bags, and have them ready for the agency.

Depending on the age of the child, these are some suggested items that could be included in the back packs: Diaper rash ointment, diapers, soap, children’s shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, small packages of nutritious snacks, packaged fruit drinks, blanket, book or stuffed toy, crayons, coloring book, pen or pencil, a pad of paper, bookmark.

How do we know what to put in a bag?

Working closely with the agency is the best way. After establishing a relationship with that agency, they will let you know. They can't give you a name, but they will let you know this way (which is an actual census a director provided):

Here is a current listing of the children that we have in the shelter:

(1) 6 month old female

(2) 7 month old males

(1) 1 yr old male

(1) 4 yr old male

(2) 5 yr old males

(1) 6 yr old male

(1) 7 yr old male

(1) 12 yr old female

Simply choose one, or a number, or all, and get the bag, fill it accordingly and then fasten a note to the bag, and state this bag is for a 6 month old female. If you are giving a bag and a gift card, then the agency will choose what to put into it and make it available to one of the children in their shelter.