Salem Backpack Drive Reaches Nearly 400 Unhoused Neighbors

SALEM, MA — Volunteers gathered at Lifebridge North Shore in Salem to distribute backpacks and essential items to people facing homelessness.

The Lifebridge Backpack Program has given out nearly 400 backpacks since last summer.

Lifebridge said the increase reflects growing awareness of and trust in the Salem-based nonprofit among unhoused people, along with rising demand for basic hygiene, health and safety items during the housing crisis.

The program holds two distribution days each year, one in summer and one in winter, and also provides backpacks to Day Center clients throughout the winter.

"It's amazing to see how much the program has grown," said Laura Madison, founding family member of the Lifebridge Backpack Program. "It started with giving away 40 backpacks out of my living room. Now we're reaching ten times that many people and there seems to be no limit to the need."

Lifebridge said its Day Center stayed open 24/7 from December through March to protect people without shelter during extreme weather. During that time, people coming into the center could also get backpacks and donated items.

"People come to the Day Center with their belongings in anything that will hold them, even trash bags," said Jeron Reddick, Director of Community-Based Case Management at Lifebridge. "People’s belongings and important documents are easily damaged without protection. In this way, a durable backpack specifically designed for their situation is not just a way to restore dignity; it’s essential for survival and recovery."

Lifebridge said weather emergencies in January and February also brought in people who do not usually work with the organization.

"We convinced people who don't normally use our services to come inside during the worst of the storms this year," said Mike King, Street Outreach Programs Manager. "While we typically distribute them through our Community Outreach Program, by coming to the Day Center, they were able to access the backpacks and donated items as soon as they needed them."

Lifebridge said community members donated thousands of items from its wish list, and volunteers from WT Rich organized and tallied them last week.

Volunteer teams from Groom Construction and Arbella Insurance helped set up items on distribution day and assisted guests as they chose what to add to their backpacks.

"Lifebridge does incredible work for the North Shore community, and we are always honored to partner with them," said Bernadette Butterfield, Groom Construction Senior Vice President of Business Strategy and Development. "Giving back to the place we call home is what it's all about."

Lifebridge North Shore is a nonprofit that provides shelter, housing, meals and supportive services for homeless and vulnerable individuals.