Morristown's Market Street Mission Completes 'Project Backpack'

MORRISTOWN, NJ—Just before the school year started, Morristown's Market Street Mission completed its 12th annual "Project Backpack" operation, which supplied 500 backpacks full of school supplies to local students.

"There's notebooks, pencils, folders, binders," said Natalie Vermeulen, Market Street Mission's Development Coordinator, "basically any supplies you'd need to start the year."

The Mission, founded in 1889, serves the homeless, poor, and those struggling with addiction. Vermeulen said volunteers loaded backpack contents by age group, and the bags were packed to accommodate any student, from preschool to adult. This year was no different in terms of the goal, even if getting there was a bit challenging.

"Everything had to be socially distant," she said, of the operation to fill the bags. "We had to limit capacity in the room, wear masks."

Vermeulen said the Mission also staggered volunteer work times to limit contact. She added that the groups of volunteers include some alumni who have returned as well as men currently involved in programs at the Mission.

"This is another way they can be active fathers while in our long-term addiction treatment," said Vermeulen "and give back to the community."

Vermeulen said one alum of the Mission's program returns every year to pick up backpacks for 20 of his grandchildren. She added that the backpacks provide an opportunity for the Mission besides just providing badly needed supplies.

"It's a chance the for the Mission to work with the local community organizations, churches, and schools that get most of the backpacks," said Vermeulen.

This fall, she said, the recipients included Nourish NJ, the Morris County Housing Authority, Spring Street Community Development Corporation, St. Margaret’s Church, Iglesia Adventista del Septimo Dia, Morristown High School, and a night school program in Paterson.

Vermeulen said that this year more than prior, the backpack giveaway supplied something more than just school supplies.

"During a year when school was kind of turned upside down," she said, "these backpacks can provide a sense of normalcy, and something that's a source of stability for these kids."