Hope Missions Holiday Backpack Project Under Way

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Hope Missions of the Upstate is teaming up this holiday season with other Anderson charities to provide more than 300 backpacks loaded with essentials for our neighbors, friends and family in the community who need help.

Located in downtown Anderson, Hope Missions provides a daily breakfast for the area’s homeless – with the help of local volunteers (who consider themselves servants of the less fortunate) - serves as a warming shelter for Anderson County when the weather turns cold, helps the unhoused find a place to live, and helps those in need get their identification paperwork to allow them to get jobs.

Local donors who have already purchased the rugged backpacks include: Bigger Brains, Central Presbyterian Church, Newspring Church The LOT Project, South Main Chapel & Mercy Center, St. John’s United Methodist Church, the United Way of Anderson County, and Varennes Presbyterian Church.

The following list contains items these organizations consider useful to someone who might be without a permanent residence. The list is intended to begin collection for the backpacks: baby powder, belts, bibles, blankets, open bus tickets, deodorant, Chapstick, duct tape, energy bars, first aid kits, flashlight (with batteries or rechargeable (USB-C)), gloves, hats, hoodies, hand warmers, hygiene kits, ibuprofen (individual 2-packs), mints gum, lozenges, multi-vitamins, nametags, notebook with pen, ponchos, soap, socks (long, winter), sunglasses, sunscreen, toboggan/stocking caps, water bottles, zip ties, Ziplock bags.

Find out more about how to donate here.

On Dec. 23, 9:30 a.m.-noon, an event to distribute the backpacks is scheduled at First Presbyterian Church. Representatives from other agencies in Anderson involved in this project include: AIM, Alston Wilkes Society, Anderson Observer, AnMed Health, Artisan Fellowship. Asher House, Boulevard Baptist Church, Capstone Church, Central Presbyterian Church, Clean Start, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), FAVOR of the Upstate, Anderson First Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church, Foothills Community Health Care, Anderson Free Clinic, Grace Episcopal Church, NewSpring Church, Rejuvenate Church, Salvation Army of Anderson, South Main Chapel & Mercy Center, St John's United Methodist Church (and clothes closet), The Lot Project, United Way of Anderson, Upstate Warrior Solution, Varennes Presbyterian Church.

Representatives from other agencies in Anderson involved in this project include: AIM, Alston Wilkes Society, Anderson Observer, AnMed Health, Asher House, Bigger Brains, Boulevard Baptist Church, Capstone Church, Central Presbyterian Church, Clean Start, South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH), FAVOR of the Upstate, Anderson First Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church, Foothills Community Health Care, Anderson Free Clinic, Grace Episcopal Church, NewSpring Church, HOPE Missions, Rejuvenate Church, Salvation Army of Anderson, South Main Chapel & Mercy Center,  St John's United Methodist Church (and clothes closet), The LOT Project, United Way of Anderson, Upstate Warrior Solution, West Point Home, Varennes Presbyterian Church and others.