Backpacks For The Street is a 501c3 public charity, and national grassroots movement to bring compassion and dignity to people living on the streets, by providing backpacks filled with life necessities, including: food, clothing, toiletries, hygiene products, gloves, emergency thermal blankets, handbooks with local food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters, and much more.
Since March 2018, BFTS has given out more than 2,000 backpacks,14,000 feminine hygiene products, and 8,000 Mylar blankets.
Backpacks For The Street operates with one mantra, “a person’s circumstances does not make them any less worthy of kindness and compassion, or to be treated with dignity and respect.”
Homelessness doesn’t take a sick day, holiday or snow day. Nor do we. It is 24/7, and we are out there every day. A backpack gives people hope. It lets people know they’re not invisible; they are not alone.
See the latest media coverage on BFTS.
Instagram photos of BFTS in action!
How Can You Help?
Homelessness in New York City is at an all-time high.
In April 2019, New York City accounted for 14% of the nation’s homeless population, with nearly 71,000 people living in NYC shelters, including 22,511 children, up 82% from 10 years ago.
Nearly 5,000 people are living on the streets.
BFTS is advocate for women’s health, and gives out free FemPacks, for homeless and low-income, with feminine hygiene products. Since March 2018, we’ve given out more than 12,000 products. We also offer BarkPacks, with food and treats for canine companions of our homeless.
During winter months, we offer additional packs of gloves, Mylar blankets, and hand and toe warmers. In 2019, we also gave out hundreds of sleeping bags.
Homelessness does not take a day off. It is a 24/7 epidemic, where someone is always in need.
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