Backpacks For The Street

Backpacks For The Street is a recognized 501c3 public charity, and national grassroots movement to bring compassion and dignity to people living on the streets, by assembling backpacks filled with toiletries, food and helpful items ranging from first aid kits, flashlights and clothing to various other essentials. A team of volunteers then goes out, and personally hands out the backpacks to the homeless.

“What I love about our program is that we don’t just go and hand off a backpack and walk away. We spend time with the people we help. Treating everyone with dignity and respect is most important,” says Jeffrey Newman, co-founder of BFTS. “Too many people who are homeless feel invisible, and tossed aside. We want them to know, we see them. A person’s circumstances does not make them any less worthy of kindness and compassion.”

BFTS is the first program under Together Helping Others Inc, a 501c3 full-service nonprofit for the homeless founded by Newman and his partner Jayson Conner in March, 2018.

“When I pass someone who’s living on the street, I don’t view them as less than, or worthless. I see a person, a human being, who is struggling. The idea that these beautiful people are so easily discarded by society is infuriating. You don’t throw a life simply because they are struggling or suffering, be it by mental illness, or simply a rough patch. You stop and say, ‘how can we help,'” adds Newman. “We know the backpack isn’t going to get them off the street, and it’s not going to cure homelessness, but it gives them hope. It lets them know they’re not alone. You can’t imagine the positive impact that can make.”