Project Backpack

I am starting a project through my work to supply backpacks filled with school supplies and stuff for the children affected by hurricane Katrina. The hope of this is to provide the children with the things they need to start school in a strange new city and to give them something to put and keep thier things in as they move around to find or rebuild thier new homes.

I'm organizing this through my work, and I got them to sponsor us as they will pay for the shipping of the backpacks out to Texas or where ever the displaced children may be.

If you would like to help we are in the gathering phase of the backpacks and stuff to put in the backpacks.

Right now the kids have nothing and could use a backpack and school supplies as they go to school and get moved around while their families are trying to rebuild or restart in a new place

Let me know if this interests any of you. And please pass along to any others who you think might want to help out. I'm shooting for 100 backpacks, but more is always better.

Ben...

Here is what we need: (and if you go to buy a lot of stuff, talk to the manager at the store and tell them what you are doing. Most times they will give you a discount)

Backpacks (lots of them)
Anti-bacterial hand sanitizer – small bottles
Toothbrushes/toothpaste
Kids books
Kids toys
Coloring books
Note books
Crayons
Pens/Pencils
Small stuffed animals
Snack type foods
any other good ideas?

Other school supplies needed:
art packet of manila paper, 12" x 18"
art packet of construction paper,
assorted colors 9" x 12" or 12" x 18"
boxes of large crayons,
8 assorted colors
containers of white glue
pair of scissors, semi-pointed, good quality
box of tissues
school box (for storing supplies)
writing pencils, No. 2 lead
yellow highlighter (no markers)
pencil tablet (for primary use)
writing tablet (not newsprint) (for primary use)
composition book (not newsprint) (for primary use)
box of water soluble markers,
8 colors grading pencil, blue only,
hard lead ruler,
plastic with English and metric
music notebook, six staffs
box of watercolors and pan,
8 colors graph paper
tablet, 1 cm x 1 cm squares only
pencil tablet 3/8" ruling, no margin line 8 1/2" x 11"
ball-point pen, blue or black, medium point
set of map pencils
folders with loose-leaf paper, 8 1/2" x 10 1/2", 3/8"
ruling
protractor
compass
erasers
dry erase markers
chalk
lunchbox

This was inspired by Project Backpack and we will hopefully be working with them to help out in the relief effort.