Street-proof backpacks follow spread of homelessness to Abbotsford, Langley
Backpacks that are custom-built for the needs of people living on the street are set to be distributed for the first time in Abbotsford and Langley.
“Demand is through the roof,” said Jeremy Hunka from the Union Gospel Mission.
The backpacks — produced in partnership with the Citypak Project and Wolfe Auto Group — proved popular when they were handed out last year in Vancouver, New Westminster and Surrey.
With homelessness growing in eastern parts of the Lower Mainland, organizers decided to distribute bags to Abbotsford and Langley as well.
According to the UGM, “the custom-built backpacks are specifically designed for life on the street, featuring a built-in rain poncho, compression straps for bedding, reflective straps, durable material and anti-theft loops.”
With the help of Wolfe Auto Group, UGM will hand 750 bags over to organizations that work with the homeless across the region. At least 300 of those will be distributed in Surrey, Langley and Abbotsford.
“After witnessing the impact these survival bags had on individuals last year, we knew our good deed went a long way,” Wolfe Auto Group’s Tristan Schon said in a media release. “We really wanted to bring Citypak to charities in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley again this year.”
Two people, Christine and William, who received bags on Wednesday, said they’d shared a small backpack to store their important documents since moving to Vancouver in July. They’re from Campbell River, where they were left homeless after the building was sold and the new owners evicted the tenants in order to renovate.
They said they’ve couch-surfed with friends in Vancouver while looking for a permanent home.
Citypak, founded in Chicago, has handed out more that 41,000 backpacks in 107 cities across North America.
Demand is through the roof.