Women’s Club of Hollister coordinates backpack drive to help
children transition
On May 18, members of the Women’s Club of Hollister presented
dozens of backpacks to several organizations in San Benito County
that work with foster children. The club members and
representatives from local foster care facilities gathered at
Chamberlain’s Children Center at 1:30 p.m.
Women’s Club of Hollister coordinates backpack drive to help children transition
On May 18, members of the Women’s Club of Hollister presented dozens of backpacks to several organizations in San Benito County that work with foster children. The club members and representatives from local foster care facilities gathered at Chamberlain’s Children Center at 1:30 p.m.
In April, the club formed a committee to take over the “Comfort and Care Backpack Project” for 2011, started by the SBC Leadership Class of 2010. The program provides children arriving at foster care facilities with items that will make their arrival easier with necessities and personal items.
The backpacks were made to accommodate infants to 17-year-olds. Appropriate items fill the backpacks based on age and gender. Examples of items include handmade blankets, basic school supplies, a change of clothing, a stuffed animal, fun stuff and snacks. Aside from giving children a warm welcome, the backpack gives them a sense that they are important to many people – the backpacks are theirs to keep.
The recipients of the backpacks included Kinship Center, Chamberlain’s Children Center, Child Protective Services and Emmaus House.
The committee’s orginal goal was to provide each organization with 25 backpacks, according to the needs of the organization. The average backpack cost about $30-40 for young children or $20-30 for older children. The Women’s Club is worked with business, friends and families to complete the project.
