Coffee Creek Backpacks

Our ongoing Coffee Creek Project continues with so much help from everyone at Frog Pond.  On average, the team puts together twenty to forty backpacks per month for inmates at Coffee Creek Women’s Correctional Facility in Wilsonville.  This ministry touches the lives of many inmates at a critical transition in their life.   

Hello all, things are looking good for Items needed for the Coffee Creek backpacks.  Except for one thing:  The Backpacks.  We are nearly out of them.  If you have any at home laying around, we sure could use them.  They don't even have to be "traditional" backpacks.  Tote bag type, even the reusable grocery bag ones. 

Here are a few suggestions on where to get some: You can order inexpensive backpacks at www.dollardays.com  Go to school supplies since they sell lots of stuff. Look around home. See what you have laying around.  Packs/bags left from the kids/grand-kids.  It is Garage Sale Season.  Drive by and see if you see some. Tell them what they are for and they may just give one to you.  (Worth a shot!)  Marketing team Expos?  Sometimes they might give you extra bags.

Thanks, from your Missions and Outreach Committee !

Coffee Creek:   
Thank you to those who donate to the Back Pack Program for inmates of Coffee Creek. For those who don't know about the program, let us share a little information with you.

Coffee Creek releases between 40-50 inmates a month. When they leave, the women take with them those items that they came with; any money they have in their trust accounts (money others put in an account to help inmates buy things like toothpaste, soap, candy, stamps etc); a Smart Bag that includes contraceptives; a bus pass to the county they were convicted in; (unless they have a ride arranged with family or friends); $25.00 for those who are indigent; and 30 days of medications that they were using while incarcerated. On the first day they have to report to their probation officer, and within the first week, get to the county's Human Services Program to set up food stamps and other financial help; and start looking for a job. Many of the women have little or no support system as they have burned their bridges with family and friends. Our backpacks help to supply them with some essentials and other items to help give them a lift to their self-esteem.