Emmaus Gloucestershire is teaming up with Tewkesbury Borough Council to make its Operation Backpack campaign an even bigger success this year.
Operation Backpack helps rough sleepers survive in the coldest months of the year by providing rucksacks filled with essentials for winter protection.
This year, Tewkesbury Borough Council has offered to be a drop-off point for our community in the hope that the public will find it an easily accessible location.
The public are encouraged to donate rucksacks and other essentials for living in the open, including socks, gloves, hats, scarves, sleeping bags, waterproof sleeping mats, new underwear and toiletries.
Last year the scheme was a resounding success with more than 400 rucksacks provided to homeless people across Gloucestershire – with the help of the council we hope to support even more people this year.
Tewkesbury Borough Council’s Deputy Chief Executive Rob Weaver said:
“I am really pleased we are able to open our doors to support Operation Backpack. We want to encourage members of the public, and our own staff, to get behind this fantastic initiative – for those people facing winter on the streets, backpacks filled with clean, warm clothes are absolutely vital for survival.”
Emmaus Gloucestershire’s Trustee Alison Beddoes said:
“We are delighted to partner with Tewkesbury Borough Council, the people in Tewkesbury have been very generous and supportive of our charity and the homeless in the past and this partnership should give us the opportunity to help more people survive this coming winter”
Backpacks and other donations can be dropped off at Tewkesbury Borough Council’s offices from Monday to Friday during opening hours.
Donations are also welcome at any of Emmaus shops in Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud & Nailsworth.