Project Goal: Provide 1500 (or more) packed backpacks to homeless children throughout 9 parishes!
Project Plan:
Gifting Grace Project is hosting its annual 3rd quarter drive, Pack the Backpack – for homeless children. This projects objective is to provide them with the essential tools and resources necessary to start the year off on the right foot. Please see our schedule of events below.
JULY 1 – JULY 29TH: COLLECTION DRIVE
From July 1st thru July 29th 2025, Gifting Grace Project and Community Partners will be collecting NEW backpacks, school supplies, school uniforms, shoes and other necessary items to equip these students for going Back-to-School. ANYONE AND EVERYONE is welcome to join-in and participate. Businesses, Churches, Civic clubs, Beta Clubs, and Individuals.
JULY 30TH: PICKUP DONATIONS
On July 30th, Volunteers will help pickup donations from “Drop-off Sites” and deliver them to Mendoza Ford in Maurice, LA. On July 31st, Volunteers will help sort, count donations in preparation to pack.
JULY 31ST: SORT & COUNT SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Volunteers will help us sort and count all donations to make sure we have all items needed on site to start packing pencil pouches, hygiene kits, and backpacks Friday/Saturday.
AUGUST 1ST: SORTING CONT’D + PRE-ASSEMBLE PENCIL POUCHES & HYGIENE KITS
On August 1st, Volunteers will help wrap up sorting and staging school supplies. Each Volunteer will also help with packing 1500+ Pencil Pouches, Hygiene kits and other preliminary work that needs to be done to prepare for the Main Event!
AUGUST 2ND: MAIN EVENT – PACK THE BACKPACK
August 2nd is the MAIN EVENT, where Volunteers will come together to work an assembly line and pack over 1500+ Backpacks with school supplies and HOPE!
AUGUST 4TH: DISTRIBUTION
On August 4th, Volunteers will load up the boxes of packed backpacks and deliver them to their respective locations completing the overall goal of the project!
A. We have several drop-off locations throughout Acadiana that can be found above on this page. Our MAIN drop-off location is our office at 217 Rue Louis XIV, Lafayette, LA 70508. We are open M – F, 8am – 4:30pm.
A. Yes. Click the “Donate” button on this screen and process your transaction there. Checks and Cash can be donated as well. Please make checks payable to Gifting Grace Project and mail to our office at 217 Rue Louis XIV, Lafayette, LA 70508.
A. Yes. It is our pleasure to issue you a receipt upon delivery of every gift and donation. The Donor must provide the valuation of the donation they provide.
A. Unfortunately, no. As an organization, we work diligently to protect the children’s personal information, including their faces and names, and never release that information under any circumstances.
A. Absolutely! Volunteers are vital to the projects and fundraisers we have throughout the year. Volunteers help us pick up donations, pack backpacks and student care kits, sort coats and socks, receive and distribute Christmas gifts, and more. Volunteers are the only reason we have been able to make the substantial impact in our community that we have and we welcome you to join us.
A. Always! Gifting Grace Project wants to be your partner in getting your students, employees, members, and parishioners active in their community. We have projects year-round that you can personalize and make your own. Just reach out and let us know what you’re thinking and how we can help make your community event a success.
