Backpack handouts for needy kids

[Anonymous]

OP here. My complaint is that the abusers of this system take a backpack away from another child who doesn't have one yet. I am also talking about the events where the backpacks are donated by companies and many of these are very high quality. Companies like Target will donate very nice backpacks for these.

It's the same with toys. The abusers go around to multiple events and take away toys that other kids won't get to get. I know that many of these charities share lists between themselves to ensure that families only go to one, but that's easy to subvert.

On the whole, I hope that most recipients of these things are honest and only take what they need. But I have witnessed firsthand some are not.

It's not my biggest worry in the world, but it grates on me to witness people take advantage. Or they get a backpack but complain about the color.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These seem to be done everywhere now by various charitable organizations. While I appreciate their intent, I wish there was a way to to know which kids actually need that backpack. When I was a kid, I used my backpacks until they broke apart. I didn't get a new one every year. I get that one of the reasons they are given is to be a bag for the school supplies also being given out. And I get that many of these kids live chaotic lives where the backpack may have been lost or destroyed or taken by their parents for their use. Still, I can't get past the idea that people are just being given these at will every year. Worse yet are the parents who go from event to event to collect all the backpacks from everywhere.

This is really a general complaint from those who seek to take advantage. The parents who go from event to event to get toys donated by Toys for Tots, etc. Instead of just going to one to get their toys.

I think there’s little fraud of this type.

As a teacher, I see that the donated backpacks are usually the super cheap kind that barely make it through 180 school days let alone multiple years. People rarely donate LLBean quality bags. They are usually the vinyl or plasticky type. The zippers break, the bottom of the bag rips or the straps come apart at the seams. I buy quality bags at the thrift store to give students who need a replacement.

Another issue is that the donated bags are often too small for what middle schoolers and high schoolers need. Our students are asked to carry a three inch binder and PE clothing. That doesn’t fit in the cute bags that people like to donate and chain stores often position near the register for that purpose.

This. They are the $5 bags, not $50.

Yep. I have seen people brag about finding cheap backpacks to donate. There heart is in a good place, but I imagine the kids are lucky if they last a year.

[Anonymous]

Be kind.

[Anonymous]

People do mean well with the donations. I bought a backpack at Aldi to donate for $8 and another gentleman in the group I was helping to collect donations from bought 20 $5 backpacks from Five Below.

No, most people aren’t donating LL Bean backpacks because that’s not as cost effective. The entire donation budget is blown on one backpack rather than several plus supplies.

[Anonymous]

OP...here's the thing. I donated a bag filled with items, at church. In my county (in FL) the county seeks donations from all the houses of worship and civic organizations,and then does a big event where kids get backpacks, eye/dental exams, even haircuts.

This event has families lining up hours in advance.

I can easily afford an inexpensive bag and stuff to fill it. I don't waste one second of my life worrying about if the kid REALLY needed a new bag or if his/her parents are spending money on cigs and tattoos (and I am sure some are). I just hope that some kid is enjoying their new bag-I got a tie die color one and colorful items, so it would work for boy or girl.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People do mean well with the donations. I bought a backpack at Aldi to donate for $8 and another gentleman in the group I was helping to collect donations from bought 20 $5 backpacks from Five Below.

No, most people aren’t donating LL Bean backpacks because that’s not as cost effective. The entire donation budget is blown on one backpack rather than several plus supplies.

Of course people mean well. However, it’s not cost effective to buy bookbags that are too small or quickly fall apart. It would be more cost effective to have people donate $5-10 and then the money used to buy the right type of backpack in bulk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People do mean well with the donations. I bought a backpack at Aldi to donate for $8 and another gentleman in the group I was helping to collect donations from bought 20 $5 backpacks from Five Below.

No, most people aren’t donating LL Bean backpacks because that’s not as cost effective. The entire donation budget is blown on one backpack rather than several plus supplies.

Of course people mean well. However, it’s not cost effective to buy bookbags that are too small or quickly fall apart. It would be more cost effective to have people donate $5-10 and then the money used to buy the right type of backpack in bulk.

The program we were collecting for does offer that option.

[Anonymous]

I’ve helped with these events before and these backpacks are very cheap. I’ve never heard of people going to get more than one. And about Toys for Tots, I don’t know if it’s different where you live but , I’ve worked for these events as well, you have to apply for these benefits and they know where you will pick up your toys. You can’t pick up at more than one. Even if you are applying for Salvation Army’s Angel Tree you will be disqualified from Toys for Tots, you have to choose only one.

[Anonymous]

I volunteer with an organization that does backpacks for kids and each backpack is "assigned" to a specific kid through their caseworker. These are families who are registered through a Head Start program or some other for of assistance. Also for kids who are living at the shelter. We pack them based on grade supplies lists. We also sort backpacks based on size - smaller ones go to smaller kids and large quality ones are saved for older kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. My complaint is that the abusers of this system take a backpack away from another child who doesn't have one yet. I am also talking about the events where the backpacks are donated by companies and many of these are very high quality. Companies like Target will donate very nice backpacks for these.

It's the same with toys. The abusers go around to multiple events and take away toys that other kids won't get to get. I know that many of these charities share lists between themselves to ensure that families only go to one, but that's easy to subvert.

On the whole, I hope that most recipients of these things are honest and only take what they need. But I have witnessed firsthand some are not.

It's not my biggest worry in the world, but it grates on me to witness people take advantage. Or they get a backpack but complain about the color.

But you're wrong. Statistically and realistically, you're full of shit.

There are SO few abusers of these systems, and welfare, that it is a non-issue. There are not kids who have no school supplies, because your imagined person that you pretend you saw went and took 87 book bags. Doesn't happen. Not true.

Work in DCPS and previously in BCPS and we always had hundred of leftover stuffed backpacks. Anyone who needs one, gets one.

Abusers don't "go around to all of the toys for tots" events. Almost all of them you have to register for, and be approved for. You are making up this shit, to justify your lack of donation. Just go away.

[Anonymous]

No one "lives large" and then gets free backpacks for their kids. Getting free things for your kids is humiliating.

I always see on the news where to donate backpacks, but NO INFO on how to get them. How do people even know where to go?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one "lives large" and then gets free backpacks for their kids. Getting free things for your kids is humiliating.

I always see on the news where to donate backpacks, but NO INFO on how to get them. How do people even know where to go?

If you are FARMS / title 1, your school knows and will give you the information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. My complaint is that the abusers of this system take a backpack away from another child who doesn't have one yet. I am also talking about the events where the backpacks are donated by companies and many of these are very high quality. Companies like Target will donate very nice backpacks for these.

It's the same with toys. The abusers go around to multiple events and take away toys that other kids won't get to get. I know that many of these charities share lists between themselves to ensure that families only go to one, but that's easy to subvert.

On the whole, I hope that most recipients of these things are honest and only take what they need. But I have witnessed firsthand some are not.

It's not my biggest worry in the world, but it grates on me to witness people take advantage. Or they get a backpack but complain about the color.

But you're wrong. Statistically and realistically, you're full of shit.

There are SO few abusers of these systems, and welfare, that it is a non-issue. There are not kids who have no school supplies, because your imagined person that you pretend you saw went and took 87 book bags. Doesn't happen. Not true.

Work in DCPS and previously in BCPS and we always had hundred of leftover stuffed backpacks. Anyone who needs one, gets one.

Abusers don't "go around to all of the toys for tots" events. Almost all of them you have to register for, and be approved for. You are making up this shit, to justify your lack of donation. Just go away.

Agree. Also, how do you feel about tax breaks for corporations, OP? Do you spend any time thinking about that pie?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son’s preschool is at a church. They gave an Easter egg hunt. Each child is supposed to take 10 eggs. I see LatinX families every year take a freaking pillow case full of eggs and candy. No one cares.

Honestly, if your life is at the point you’re scamming for cheap candy and $5 backpacks, you need it way more than I need the $20 I spent on school supplies or donated candy.

OP - take a moment and think about what type of life situation you would have to be in to drive to multiple events and get multiple backpacks because you know you can’t afford to replace supplies that get lost or broken during the year. Think about a family that maybe gets 2 toys for tots toys. How many toys do your kids get at Christmas? Maybe the parents save one for the kids’ birthday. These parents are just trying to provide a little joy and normalcy in their kids’ lives. Give them a break.

REALLY REALLY REALLY
YOUR TINY BLACK SOOTED HEART IS SHRINKING

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. My complaint is that the abusers of this system take a backpack away from another child who doesn't have one yet. I am also talking about the events where the backpacks are donated by companies and many of these are very high quality. Companies like Target will donate very nice backpacks for these.

It's the same with toys. The abusers go around to multiple events and take away toys that other kids won't get to get. I know that many of these charities share lists between themselves to ensure that families only go to one, but that's easy to subvert.

On the whole, I hope that most recipients of these things are honest and only take what they need. But I have witnessed firsthand some are not.

It's not my biggest worry in the world, but it grates on me to witness people take advantage. Or they get a backpack but complain about the color.

How the EFF would you now unless you are following people from event to event.