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Aid Agency Straps On Backpack Project

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By JO-ANN JOHNSTON, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 26, 2007

DADE CITY - A local nonprofit agency wants to fill 60 backpacks with supplies for the homeless this holiday season.
Daystar Hope Center Inc. and a cadre of local donors have been giving out backpacks in December for the past several years, said Sister Jean Abbott, the agency's director.

This year, Daystar and local booster Kristine Johnson want to broaden the project and are asking the community to fill the backpacks with everything from sweatshirts and socks to toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Daystar, which operates a food pantry and clothing-distribution center, had no problem giving out 17 packs last year and could have used more.

So, this year, Johnson got a head start on the project.

While attending a conference in Orlando, Johnson, who works in Pasco County's information technology department, asked organizers if they had any extras of the backpacks and bags they had given out. She wound up with more than 40.

Plus, she already had backpacks squirreled away.

"I thought, 'This is a message that I need to ramp this up this year,'" Johnson said.

Then she contacted Daystar, which sees a steady stream of transient men traveling along U.S. 301. Some are on their way to Tampa or other communities with shelters. Others wind up sleeping in orange groves, Abbott said.

"They've been on the road, and things like backpacks get stolen while they are sleeping," she said. "A lot of times, they don't have something like dry socks."

For those who stop into Daystar for help, a backpack with dry socks and underwear, personal hygiene supplies and a $5 McDonald's gift certificate is a big help.

Ponchos, baseball caps, manual can openers, canned foods, snacks and calling cards also are needed. Of course, people can donate cash, which Johnson will use to buy additional items.

It's not just single men who need the help, either. Women and families need the same items.

"Sometimes, people are homeless, but they might be staying in some friend's garage or living in their car or traveling from place to place," Johnson said.

Johnson said she is hoping families or work groups will sponsor backpacks as group projects. That's how she got involved.

After reading about a similar project in Tampa eight years ago, she thought it would be a good way to teach her children, then 8 and 11, about giving.

Her family assembled a backpack and gave it to Daystar. Since then, Johnson has continued the tradition with family, friends and co-workers.

Abbott and Johnson said they intend to distribute all the backpacks by Dec. 17.

HELP FOR HOMELESS

To help, call Kristine Johnson at (813) 713-3221 or Daystar Hope Center at (352) 523-0844.

E-mail backpacks4the

homeless@yahoo.com.

Reporter Jo-Ann Johnston can be reached at (352) 521-3062 or jfjohnston@tampatrib.com.

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