Backpacks For Homeless -Saint John

09/01/2024

Hey friends,

As most of you know, every year I pack backpacks for unhoused individuals in our communities.

Last year, with your help, I packed 53 backpacks for Avenue B Harm Reduction to pass out!

Typically, it takes me a little bit to get them done as it’s usually only me collecting for them, and between reaching out to individuals, businesses, and organizations, it can be a lengthy task.

With the tragedy uptown on Saturday it has become clear to me that I need to move faster than ever before, and I really need your help.

This year I am packing 50 backpacks full of winter necessities and I will begin shopping for items tomorrow. I can accept donations of both physical items, and also monetary donations. E-transfer donations (regardless of how big or small!!) are logistically easier for me, as they allow me to purchase things in bulk, and to make sure everyone gets the exact same things in their backpacks.

Below is a list of items I currently need. Some items not listed such as Hats, Snacks, and Dental Care items have already been or are in the process of being donated by some amazing local organizations and individuals.

If you would like to donate, please send me a message or comment below, I am so grateful for your consideration. Let’s help some people 🖤

Email if you wish to help me purchase items:

noah.donovan007@gmail.com

30/01/2023

Hi everyone 🙂

I am once again doing Backpacks for the Homeless this year. With Saint John’s homeless population rising at an alarming rate, and the weather getting colder, I felt that this was the best time to start.

I have 50 backpacks that were kindly donated by Saint John Energy, and I’m hoping to get them all filled! I’ve estimated that each backpack should cost around $12 so $600 is needed to fill them all!

If you are interested in donating monetarily, my email for etransfer is:

noah.donovan007@gmail.com

Alternatively, I am also accepting donations, some very helpful items are granola bars, applesauce, individually wrapped cough drops, ramen noodles, or cup a soup packs, deodorant, $2 Tim Hortons Gift Cards, socks, mitts, small bags of chips, chapstick, small rolled blankets, etc.

When it comes to purchasing items, I always tell people to imagine what would make your life a little easier if you were living on the street. A lot of the items that are needed can be purchased rather inexpensively at the Dollar Store or Costco.

Please let me know if you are interested in donating or if you have any questions! I’d be happy to talk!

17/02/2022

Yesterday, I was happy to deliver backpacks filled with supplies for the homeless to Avenue B.

Over the past few weeks, I have been gathering a variety of items for the backpacks which are meant to comfort, and help those who are struggling on the streets of Saint John in the winter months.

I’ve always believed leadership is more about visible action, and less about titles or talk.

There are plenty of people who hold important positions that choose to distance themselves from uncomfortable topics like poverty. I am not one.

In times like these, we must continue to support our local non profit organizations, especially those who care for women, children, and the homeless. These are some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.

Helping one person may not change the whole world, but it might change the whole world for that one person, and for me, that’s what make this all worth it. Everyone deserves to feel cared for.

A huge thank you goes out to KV Dental and Embroider It for their contribution of dental supplies and backpacks. It is greatly appreciated!

10/03/2020

Look at all this stuff! Thank you so much to Christine for her donation to our Backpack Campaign... It's the little acts that always make the biggest impact on my heart.

I know I've been quiet, but please forgive me. Backpacks for Homeless is a non government funded organization which is run by me (Noah) a small business owner, community volunteer, and full time student! Things can sometimes get slowed down a little based on my ever changing, and always busy schedule, but I try my hardest! :)

I have been lucky to receive sponsorship for 50 backpacks from our friends at Saint John Energy this year, and will be picking up those bags to pack soon. Hoping to have them packed and distributed by the beginning of April.

Thank you all for your kindness.

Noah

17/02/2019

I am very pleased to announce that this year Backpacks for Homeless -Saint John collected enough donations for over 100 Backpacks!! Our lovely friends from Saint John Energy donated over 100 Backpacks, Community members donated around $200 as well as donations of goodies, and our very special friends, Bears Who Care from Harry Miller Middle School helped us pack all of the packs! This year, like every other, we donated the backpacks to organizations who come in contact with our homeless population the most. These two organizations see first hand who is struggling the most in our communities. I am proud to say that we donated 45 Backpacks to Romero House, and 55 to Avenue B Harm Reduction. Thank you for all your support this year, and we truly apologize if we missed any donations. It has been such a busy year!

Special shout out to the Town of Rothesay for their support over the years in helping us spread the word! and to the City of Saint John for being a drop off point.

13/11/2018

We will be packing the Backpacks, and will deliver them this weekend! If you would like to donate any items please let me know. We can also accept Monetary donations as well. I can issue you a receipt. the email is noah.donovan007@gmail.com, please make the password Homeless. Thanks so much for your help everyone!!

11/03/2017

Nominations have to be in my March 24th... Nominate a special volunteer(s) in our community... there are lots of them.. everybody should be recognized! :)

Cheers to Volunteers celebrates volunteers in two main service areas: sport & recreation and community development.  Supported by staff in our Growth and Community Development services, these volunteers show an outstanding commitment to citizen wellness, quality of life, and community engagement to…

09/03/2017

I just thought I would share this article.. it came out in the paper 2 days ago, but I didn't have the electronic copy... I thought these kids should be recognized for how much they've helped us, and the people who are struggling in our community. It was only a couple of weeks ago that I had received a message from one of my former middle school teachers.. she had said that she loved our initiative, and had wanted to help out and get her school, Chris Saunders Elementary involved as well. This meant so much to me... the fact that these little kids really wanted to help, really touched my heart... and so so after about 2 weeks of fundraising, I was asked to go speak to the school during their assembly, which I gladly accepted, and am glad I did! The kids who sat in front of me as I talked were so sweet. They were the most well behaved bunch I've ever seen in my life. This was my first time ever talking in front of a crowd, and let me say, it was a little difficult at first, but with the help of these kids i pulled through and managed to talk about what means the most to me... Backpacks for homeless. The kids, noticing that i was a tad bit nervous were interested in what I was saying, quiet, and overall just perfect which helped me immensely! I talked to them about how lucky we all are that we have warm homes to sleep in, and food in our tummies, a roof over our heads, and people to love us... things that alot of homeless people lack... I told them what goes into the backpacks, and how each item helps, and overall I discussed how important, and impressive it was for them to be helping out... after the assembly, I got to talk to some kids and to a teacher who really inspired me with how homelessness affected her... she told me about how she became homeless, and eventually pulled herself up, and managed to become a teacher... we talked about how important the backpacks are, and how much they help those with nothing. I also got to meet, and thank the kindergarten class who raised $87 alone! Isn't that amazing?!?! A kindergarten class. It blew me away... these children really inspired me and set an example of how to be loving, and caring citizens in the amazing community we Live in... I really appreciated their help, and getting the chance to talk to them, and to really let them know how much their help helps us, was a life changing experience for me, and I hope it was for them as well. Thank you so much Chris Saunders Elementary School! You've really went above and beyond with your 25 Backpacks!!! This is also set to be a reminder that we are still collecting backpacks... if anybody had anything they'd like to donate... as well, we are still accepting monetary donations from those who wish... thank you all for your breathtaking support. It's truly appreciated by me and by many...

24/02/2017

Hey Everyone! We still have lots of time left to get things in... please keep sharing and spreading the word.... Tonight I thought I'd share a little bit about myself and why I chose to get involved with Backpacks for Homeless. For those of you that don't know, my name is Noah Donovan, and I am the leader of Backpacks for Homeless - Saint John. Along with my duties pertaining to the Backpacks, I am also a full time Grade 12 student, and local business owner. I've always been attracted to helping people. I'm a very sociable person, and am always able to strike up a conversation with the amazing people i meet on a daily basis. This has proven to be an invaluable asset to me during my work in the community. It takes someone who is Comfortable, Compassionate, and Caring to get people to open up about the challenges they face in life. Through my volunteer work in local nursing homes, mental care facilities and with people who have intellectual disabilities, I've been able to learn first hand, what it takes to create change, to be a community leader, and a role model for many. I've been told that ever since I was little I was always a social butterfly... I loved to talk to everybody. In fact, my parents tell me that I never stopped talking...Day and night regardless of how annoying LOL, although it was a bit of a curse for my parents (LOL) it was a real blessing for me. This is partially what got me into going to the nursing home... I was never afraid or shy of the elderly folks, and that lead to long hours of cards, tea, cookies, and laughter which created an inseparable bond between many of us... when I started high school, I was always encouraged to get involved, and make it an experience that I'd remember... and after some searching, I did just that! I heard about a club known as "Best Buddies", Best Buddies is an organization that helps students who have disabilities create friendships and partake in events that they would normally not partake in, such as going to the movies, hanging out with friends , going out to supper or lunch, etc. It was like a natural calling for me. So much so, that I became the "president" of the group. Through that organization I got to experience many new adventures and build upon my compassionate nature. I have been in Best Buddies for my entire High School stay, and I loved every moment of it. Though I've always been present, helping out where I can, it wasn't until a few years ago that I stumbled upon the very thing that has changed my life immensely. Backpacks for Homeless. I saw others in the community partake in the giving of "necessity packs" to our homeless population, and I immediately knew, this was my cup of tea! After helping for a good while, I started forming what is known today as "Backpacks for Homeless - Saint John ". This was easily. The best decision I've ever made. I've had many people ask why I got involved doing Backpacks for the homeless, and the answer is shockingly simple. I was fortunate enough to be brought up in a loving, middle class family, and have never had the displeasure of experiencing homelessness. Because of that, I felt as though it was my duty to help those who were struggling. I was blessed enough to have a great life growing up, and I wanted to extend my thankfulness in the form of helping those who weren't as lucky. Thus leading to Backpacks for Homeless - Saint John. Filling and handing out backpacks has had a really big impact on me. It has allowed me to have a a better understanding, and respect for the challenges that people living on the streets go through daily. It has turned me into an individual hell bent on changing homelessness, not only in Saint John, but in Canada. We are a community with many hands and many hearts, and we can bring real change one backpack at a time, because in a country like our own, no person should have to face homelessness, or at least not alone..... Thank you all for your support so far, you all have no idea the progress We are making... and its all thanks to you!