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The idea for Backpacks For The Homeless came after a lot of prayer. Way back in 2003, I reached a point in my life where I wanted to do something that would help the least of the least, something that was suited to my particular skills, which are web design and promotion. I lived in a city with a church seemingly on every block, and it bothered me that in the midst of so many Christians, there were still people starving and dying in the cold.
I asked God what I could do to help, and this is the mission he gave me. An idea like this doesn't really belong to anyone, but before I began to publicize it, it didn't exist anywhere as a cohesive concept, at least not that I could find. I did find a group of girl scouts in Cleveland, Ohio, who had practiced it, but from the very beginning, my mission was to encourage other Christians to practice the ministry, not just do it myself.
As one person, I can help a few, but to paraphrase one of my favorite scriptures, it's better to teach a person to fish than to catch a fish for him. I began spreading the word by collecting every email address for every church I could. I sent out thousands of emails explaining what the ministry was, how it works, and why it's important.
Next, I designed the website and have done my very best since, to make sure that more people learn about it with each passing day. Now, other people have done websites, and if you do a Google search for "Backpacks For The Homeless", you will get thousands of results. From "Zero", that's a pretty big increase.
By donating here, you will be supporting my continuing mission of spreading Backpacks around the country, and the world.
As I said, when I first started, Backpacks For The Homeless as a concept didn't exist. Now, there are Backpacks missions in Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, New Hampshire, New York, Texas, Ohio, Wyoming, California, Hawaii and Toronto, and those are just the ones I know of.
Thanks for your interest and your participation.
-Fil Manley
Founder
Backpacks For The Homeless Outreach
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Disclaimer: Backpacksforthehomeless.org asks everyone to understand that all people, homeless or not, can be unpredicatable. Please use due dilligence, caution and common sense when approaching people. Stick to well lighted areas, where other people are and try to work in pairs when possible.
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