Miranda Fatur
Langley Times
A backpack is an essential piece of gear to have when living rough on the streets, according to The Citypak Project.
The Citypak Project partners with local communities to distribute street-proof backpacks to homeless residents and others in need.
On Oct. 17, Wolfe Auto Group and the Friends Langley Vineyard church joined with Citypak to hand out 150 backpacks to members of Langley’s homeless population.
Pastor Leith White planned the backpack giveaway to coincide with the church’s reopening of lunch services on their property, after White had announced a temporary, six-week pause in meal delivery there in early September.
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White welcomed the small crowd that gathered at the Langley Vineyard Church on Wednesday morning.
He explained the backpacks are ‘specifically designed for urban dwelling.’
People lining up for a pack were full of smiles and gratitude.
“When you have absolutely nothing, this is pretty handy-dandy,” said Janice, who was among the recipients.
“The one I had last year lasted probably seven months before it even looked used.”
Nick, who helps out in the homeless community, said he knows firsthand how helpful a backpack can be.
“People need help, people are struggling. A lot of people are a paycheque away from homelessness themselves. I’ve been homeless, so I know what it’s like.”
Wolfe Auto Group also sponsored a Citypak backpack distribution at the Langley Vineyard Church last year, and has sponsored giveaways in Surrey and Vancouver in previous years.
Wolfe Auto Group’s Patrick Curtis said the company wants to do what it can to support people who are homeless.
“It’s growing, it’s become part of a daily life in British Columbia and the Lower Mainland, so it’s our way of giving back to these people and those less fortunate or who have come down on hard times and are looking for a bit of a helping hand.”
According to Citypak’s website, the backpacks feature ballistic nylon for a tough exterior, sternum and load bearing straps to distribute weight, an anti-theft webbing loop to attach to an arm or a leg, a reflective webbing strip, compression straps and an integrated rain poncho.
