Backpack Drive Helps Resettled Families in Michigan

Tent Schools International (TSI) partnered with Week of Hope and Bethany Christian Services to provide 69 backpacks for resettled refugee families in Grand Rapids, MI in August 2016. TSI encouraged young people traveling to Grand Rapids from across the nation on Week of Hope service trips to bring along backpacks filled with school supplies for refugee families in Michigan. The goal was to deliver the packs in time for the start of school in September. “We had the privilege of delivering backpacks full of school supplies to four children of a Somalian family who we recently resettled in the Grand Rapids area,” said Michelle Roub, Bethany’s volunteer specialist. “They are one family of many who is grateful for your gift!”

Other recipient organizations of the packs were ELIM’s Hope Packs program, distributing 29 packs internationally, North Kent Community Services, distributing 50 packs through their resource center, and Hope Restored Empowerment Center, distributing 10 packs for an after-school program targeting 6th grade through high school youth. Our gratitude to the young people at Week of Hope whose enthusiasm for helping families in need made this drive possible!