Thousands of young people in Minnesota are struggling with homelessness. A 2015 study by Wilder Research found there were 9,312 homeless adults and children in Minnesota. The study found that young people are most at risk of homelessness, with children and youth aged 24 and younger the most likely to be homeless. Children with their parents accounted for 35% (3,259) of Minnesota's homeless, while 16% (1,489) are youths (minor and young adult) who are on their own.

 

Source: Amherst Wilder Foundation. Homeless Youth in Minnesota

 

Imagine that for one moment: Being a young person, attending school, after-school functions, doing homework, working a job...and at night searching for a place to sleep because you do not have a home to go to.  And pretending that everything is normal just so you can function every day.

 

 

Backpack Project MN is simple:

We provide backpacks filled with daily-use personal care items to young people experiencing homelessness in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. All of our backpacks are distributed by Youthlink MN by experienced homeless outreach personnel.

 

 

DONATE. Please see THE LIST and donate new, unused items from it.  They can be shipped to us or we can arrange for local pickup! We can also accept monetary donations: our volunteers will be shopping for items to complete each backpack.

 

SPONSOR. If you would like to purchase a complete backpack and ship it to us, or make a monetary donation to buy a complete backpack, please visit our DONATE page for instructions! Thank you!

 

VOLUNTEER. If you would like to help us out with shopping, packing, and assembling the packs or by spreading our message, please contact us!  We need your help!