Our church is once again
participating in the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen backpack project, as we have done
for the last few years. The Soup Kitchen celebrates the holidays by giving
filled backpacks to the men and women who are guests at lunch. The
Champaign-Urbana community is very generous to children at Christmastime
through such projects as Shop with a Cop, Salvation Army Toy Store, toy drives,
etc. However, the men and women who attend the soup kitchen daily are rarely
remembered. For many, these backpacks will be their only presents.
Backpacks should be
stuffed with toiletries such as deodorant, hand lotion for hands chapped by the
cold, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, shaving cream, and cold weather items
such as gloves, hats, scarves, socks, sweatshirts, tee shirts, long underwear,
and regular underwear. Other appreciated items include hand warmers, cough
drops, books, decks of cards, small fleece blankets, candy, gum, and food
items. All items should be new. We are asking that all backpacks be new or
nearly new as well.
All backpacks should be
labelled with the gender and size of recipient (i.e. Man-XL). We found last
year that most of our guests requested at least a size Large, while most
preferred XL or even XXL. There is also a need for some bags with size 3X.
Bags for children up to
age five are also needed. Please label these by gender and age of the
child. Children’s bags may include small toys. We would also like to have
diaper bags filled with baby items.
We will collect filled
backpacks at the church on Sunday, December 7th and 14th. When you drop off a
backpack, please let us know so that your gift can be acknowledged. Tax forms
will be available. Backpacks will be given away at the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen
on Friday, December 19th beginning at 10 a.m.
If you have questions
about this project, visit the Social Action Committee table after services or
contact Sandy Hannum at smhannum@gmail.com.
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