“Bags of Promise” to Support Kingston Interval House with Winter Backpack Drive

Published on: 2023/02/01 - in News

Bags of Promise (BOP), a student-run charity dedicated to alleviating homelessness among youth in the Kingston community, is hosting their 3rd bag drive event in support of Kingston Interval House on Saturday, February 4th.

BOP was founded in the Spring of 2021 by co-founders Celina Lovisotto (Health Studies, Queen’s University) and Brooke Baker (Psychology & Life Science, Royal Military College) with the goal of providing shelters with backpacks filled with essential items for those in need. This February, BOP will be filling and delivering 30-35 backpacks (15 for school-aged children and 15 for women aged 15-24) with items such as hygiene products, gift cards to general and grocery stores, diapers, wipes, pajamas, winter clothing (hats, scarves) and more in support of Kingston Interval House.

Kingston Interval House is a local agency that works to end violence against women, children, and youth by providing 24-hour emergency shelter, counselling services, and housing. With nearly 600 women and children receiving counselling and 200 individuals being provided safe housing, the work of Kingston Interval House is invaluable to the Kingston community.

BOP is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with several partners, including Knix, Athena Club, Bleed the North, and Lush, to provide Kingston Interval House with essential items for women and children in need.

Physical donations for this drive are requested to be made or dropped off by Friday, February 3rd. BOP is currently in need of items such as baby shampoo and soap, diapers, wipes, hair brushes, hair elastics, blankets, clothing for children and women, bath towels, dish towels, and gift cards to grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, and multi-purpose stores. Although specific items are requested based on current shelter needs, BOP is always happy to accept any kind of donations and will make use of them in future drives.

If you are interested in volunteering or making a donation, or have any questions, please contact BOP at info@bagsofpromise.org. For more information on BOP and their mission, please visit their website at bagsofpromise.org.

BOP’s drive on Saturday, February 4th, is an important step in providing support for women and children in need and ending violence in the Kingston community. Join BOP in making a difference in the lives of those in need.


Photo (cropped): BagsofPromise.org