Backpacks

Since 1997, I have went out day and night searching for my homeless veteran brothers and sisters. I started this because of a conversation I had at the VA with our representative about homeless veterans lined up the off-ramps going to the Pensacola VA clinic at the time begging for change. I started making backpacks for homeless veterans that had all the essentials, as well as a print out of our local shelters and food banks. This was the best I could do for them but I always wished I could do more. These are items I normally would put in the packs all year and items just for the winter months will be in bold italics.

3 t-shirts or 3 long sleeve t-shirts, 2 sweatshirts, light jacket

3 pairs of boxer briefs, 3 pairs of socks,

Light blanket,

Toiletries w/extra razors, shave cream, shampoo, toothpaste

Food cards to Little Caesars, McDonald’s and I alternate Taco Bell, Burger King and Whataburger also.

2 bottle of Gatorade, 2 bottles of water and 2 packages of Bumble-Bee snacks on the run.

While I am out trying to track down homeless veterans, I meet other homeless Americans and it seems really shitty to only help veterans because our 501(c)19 non-profit status dictates veterans are all we can help and it can sometimes cause problems between the homeless veteran and non veteran homeless, so I also give out food cards to non-veterans from money I make from my second job and keep seperate. I wish there were much better support networks that the homeless in our area felt they could use but I also know that the more heavily populated areas have an even tougher time keeping track of it.