Are you or your group interested in collecting in-kind donations for BPB? If so, please see below the food, comfort and clothing items we use in each of our programs. We are happy to provide donation boxes, pamphlets and guidance to make any drive a success.  Please contact us at admin@backpackbeginnings.org to coordinate.

*Need to drop off donations?  We are proud to partner with Bizi Kidz at 2500 Battleground Ave. and Pigtails and Crewcuts at 1615 Westover Terrace for a convenient location to drop off in-kind donations, in addition to our office.

April 2021 – May 2021
We are most in need of the following food, clothing, comfort and baby items.  Our most urgent needs are in italics.  

FOOD PROGRAMS   (please check expiration dates)

  • Pop Top Spaghettios
  • Canned Chicken
  • Squeeze Jelly
  • Plastic PB Jars
  • Individual Cereals
  • Individual Oatmeal packets
  • Individual sized proteins (Chef Boyardee microwaveable meals), fruit cups, cereal and nut-free individually wrapped snacks.
  • Especially need Chicken and Rice Chef Boyardee and Vienna Sausa
  • Chef Boyardee large poptop cans
  • Healthy Snacks
  • Shelf stable proteins
  • Soup
  • Breakfast Items
  • Canned Chicken
  • Pasta/Rice
  • Canned fruit

COMFORT BACKPACK PROGRAM

  • Deodorant – Full Size
  • Activity books for all ages
  • Tissues -individual packs 
  • Playing cards
  • Books for ages 12-17
  • Shampoo – Full sized 
  • Socks – Ages 7-11
  • Washcloths

CLOTHING PANTRY PROGRAM

  • Baby clothes 0-3 months size
  • Spring/summer clothing for boys sizes 2T – 10/12
  • Spring/summer clothing for girls sizes 2T-7/8.
  • Boys and girls solid polo shirts in sizes 7/8, 10/12, and 14.
  • Girl’s khaki/navy pants in all sizes 6-14.
  • New Toddler sized socks; approximately 2T-3T size
  • New Men’s boxer briefs in S, M, L and XL
PERSONAL CARE PANTRY
  • Toothpaste
  • Deodorant
  • Brushes and Combs
  • Washcloths
BOOK BEGINNINGS
  • New or gently used board books for 0-2 year olds

BABY ITEMS

  • Similac Formula
  • Gerber Good Start Formula
  • Size 4 Diapers
  • Size 5 Diapers
  • Formula – 12.5 oz cans
  • Stage 2 and 3 baby food
  • Baby wipes
  • Baby shampoo
  • All sizes of pull ups

BPB WAREHOUSE NEEDS

  • Black Sharpies

Food BackPack Program Items

We directly purchase a majority the Food BackPack Program food from Second Harvest Food Bank. But to offset costs, we also assemble food bags in our office with donated food. All donated food items must be kid-friendly, single servings and shelf-stable.

Donations needed for our Food BackPack Program include:

    • 7.5 oz, microwavable bowl meals (such as Chef Boyardee)
    • Fruit cups (please no applesauce)
    • Individually boxed cereals (no large boxes; low-sugar please)
    • Shelf-stable, individual boxes of white milk
    • Nut-free individually wrapped snacks
    • Cheese and cracker packets (please no peanut butter)
    • Individually boxed raisins

Assemble your own bags of food for us

Food Pantry Program Items

We rely on food donations to stock our Food Pantry Program. All donated food items should be non-perishable, healthy and not in glass containers.

Donations needed for our Food Pantry Program include:

    • Low Sodium Canned Soups
    • Canned Fruit
    • Canned Vegetables
    • Canned Beans
    • Dried Pastas
    • Rice
    • Spaghetti Sauce
    • Macaroni and Cheese
    • Canned Tuna
    • Peanut Butter and Jelly
    • Low Sugar Cereals
    • Oatmeal
    • Grits
    • Granola Bars

Suggested grocery items

We aim to reduce our Comfort BackPack Program costs by filling our backpacks with as many donated items as possible. Your donations allow us serve more children in traumatic situations.

Items needed for our Comfort BackPacks include:

  • Backpack (new/gently used)
  • Folder (with pockets)
  • Pen (blue or black ink)
  • Pencil
  • Spiral Notebook (full size)
  • Body Wash/Soap (full size)
  • Brush or comb (new)
  • Deodorant
  • Shampoo (full size)
  • Toothbrush (individual pack)
  • Toothpaste (full size)
  • Tissues (individual packs)
  • Washcloth/Loofah
  • Age Appropriate Book (new/gently used)
  • Coloring Book /Activity Book (e.g. crosswords/Suduko/word searches)
  • Crayons
  • Small Blanket/Throw (new/gently used)
  • Socks (new)
  • Toy (new/gently used; 1 piece; e.g. doll, car, playing cards, stickers)
  • Stuffed Animal (new/gently used)
Assemble your own Comfort Backpack 

Most of our Clothing Pantry items come from generous donations. Please help us keep our clothing pantries stocked for children in need.

Donations accepted for our Clothing Pantry:

  • Daily Wear Clothing: new or gently used for newborns through high school aged children
  • Standard Mode of Dress (SMOD) Clothing for K-12: khaki, navy, or black pants, shorts, skirts and jumpers as well as collared shirts with the following colors in greatest demand – white, blue, black, green, gray, pink, and yellow
  • New or gently used shoes for all ages, particularly for elementary children
  • New or gently used coats, gloves, and scarves
  • New or gently used belts
  • New underwear and socks