By Tiffany Goodwein

Homeless receive blessings in a backpack

Dec 23, 2019 | 10:11 AM

Blessings in a backpack were handed out to roughly 200 people experiencing poverty in Vernon.

The program run by the Upper Room Mission is in its fifth year and provides personal care items and warm winter essentials to men, women and children.

The Christmas spirit was alive and well as people received their backpack Monday and there was plenty of need this season.

“We opened the doors to the guests at 12:30 p.m. to hand those out and for the first hour or so we probably had a good hundred people come through,” said Parker Crook, media and events coordinator.

(submitted photo/ Upper Room Mission)

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The backpacks contain essential items that are often hard to come by when living in poverty.

“Everyone was very happy that there are people in this community that are trying to help them” said Crook

Since collecting backpacks in November, The Upper Room Mission originally aimed to collect 200, but thanks to the generosity of the community they received 300.

The remaining backpacks will be distributed to Turning Points Collaborative Society and the women’s transition house.

by Tiffany Goodwein

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