North Bay committee collecting backpacks filled with supplies for the homeless

A North Bay group called the Compassionate Committee for the Homeless is looking to help supply homeless people with backpacks filled with clothing, hygiene products and other emergency supplies this May.

North Bay's annual 'Backpacks of Love' campaign was born out of a need and emphasized by agencies that provide homeless outreach that found homeless people would benefit from having a backpack. (Supplied)The annual 'Backpacks of Love' campaign was born out of a need and emphasized by agencies that provide homeless outreach that found homeless people would benefit from having a backpack.

"It makes me feel pleased that I have the strength and wherewithal to be able to do this," said Fran Malette, a committee member representing Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church.

"We're helping our fellow man which is what we're all here to do."

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The committee is looking for good, new, sturdy backpacks or duffel bags.

It plans to fill these backpacks with donated clothing to withstand the elements, hygiene products and other emergency supplies and hand-deliver them to those in need.

"We're looking for those silver emergency. The homeless can also use tarps, especially in the summer," said the committee’s chair Leah Pierce.

"These are the folks you see living in the rough."

The committee is working with 10 churches, most of them in the city's downtown core.

"Some of these people really have nothing. They're sleeping in the bush. If we can help in some little way, we're very happy to do that," said Malette.

In its fourth donation year, the committee has found the need has grown exponentially due to rising costs from inflation. Many of the homeless people the committee donates the backpacks to are on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).

An undated photo of a tent at a homeless encampment in the North Bay area. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)"Our first campaign, we provided 200 backpacks to the homeless. Our second campaign was 150 and our third campaign was really all about toiletries," said Pierce.

The items the committee is looking for include:

• Sturdy backpacks or duffle bags
• Six pack of socks
• Silver emergency blankets
• Sun hats/baseball caps
• Reusable water bottles
• Deodorant
• Sunscreen
• Small hairbrushes
• Travel-size two-in-one shampoo and conditioner
• Tarps
• Feminine hygiene products
• Toilet paper
• Insect repellent
• Towelettes or wet wipes
• Rain ponchos
• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Lip balm
• Travel-size body wash
• Hair elastics

Monetary donations are also being accepted by cash or e-Transfer.

Donated items will be accepted at the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption Church's garage from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 6.

For more information on the committee or how to help, visit their Facebook page or email them at [e-mail].