A 10-year-old Winnipeg girl inspired by this brutally cold winter has started a project to help keep the homeless warmer.
Callie has a goal to fill 500 backpacks for the homeless. Each one contains things like soap and toothpaste, as well as mitts, hats and scarves.
She's also including food items that can be carried around, like juice boxes and granola bars.
She says she got the idea from a movie based on a true story of a boy who made backpacks for the homeless, and her own observations around Winnipeg.
“We used to always drive by the princess street, but the soup kitchen, and I used to always ask questions about it, and I really wanted to make a difference,” she said.
So far, Callie has put together 60 backpacks. She says they still need more of everything to reach her goal.
To make a donation to the project, visit any of the following drop-off locations:
- St. Vital: 49 Cunnington Ave.
- Fort Whyte: Jensen Nursery: 2550 McGillivray Blvd.
- St. Boniface: 431 De La Morenie St.
- Charleswood: 3 Evenwood Cres. (Off of Dale Boulevard and Betsworth Avenue)
- St James: 350-550 Century St (Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) OR 413 Marjorie St.
- West End: Greenway School (390 Burnell St.)
- Transcona: 86 Bernard Bay
- East Kildonan: 820 Consol Ave.
- Elmwood: 32- 265 Gordon Ave.
- Garden City: MP Winnipeg North Kevin Lamoureux, 998 Keewatin St. (Hours: 9:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
- Maples: 27 Magenta Cres.
- Beausejour: 820 4th St. N
People can leave used backpacks with working zippers, mitts, hats and scarves. New items that people can leave include deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, body wash, shampoo, disposable razors, tampons, sanitary napkins, socks, granola bars, bottles of water, and juice boxes.
