My family and I, who are Roslyn residents, have volunteered at The Interfaith Nutrition (INN) for many years. The INN has shelters and soup kitchens around Long Island that assist those who are hungry and homeless.
The families living in the shelters eventually move out to live on their own, leaving with some clothes and a few important items they have in their possession.
When most of us move into a new place to live, we have the essentials to start with. In the past, my family and I have donated baskets filled with essential items. This year we decided to Pack a Backpack, choosing to fill backpacks, with items for a warm welcome, to the families moving out of the INN’s shelters into their new home.
Our friends were generous and thoughtful. The backpacks, that can be reused, were filled to the brim with soaps, shampoo, combs, brushes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, shaving cream, lotions, oatmeal, popcorn, energy drinks, waters, notebooks, glue sticks, coloring books, pens, crayons, flash lights with batteries, potted decorative plants, silk flowers, pot holders, oven mitts and laundry bags to make it a little easier to begin their new adventure. My fabulous finds are currently on display through November at The Bryant Library.
