Free Back2School Event

Babies of Homelessness, an emergency crisis response team serving families experiencing homelessness in King and Snohomish counties, is sponsoring its third annual Back2School event August 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to benefit low-income families in our community. Back2School will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 16500 124th Ave NE, Woodinville.

For low-income families needing transportation to attend the event, free rides are available by calling (866) 442-6443 or emailing b2sforboh@gmail.com by July 26.

Through generous donations from the public, children will receive a backpack filled with school essentials during a fun-filled day. Babies of Homelessness is joining with community partners to provide free haircuts, dental supplies, family photographs, activities, and food.

“Our 3rd annual Back-to-School drive is fast approaching with the goal of closing the educational gap for in-need K-5 students. There are over 40,000 students in Washington state experience homelessness, which is the largest number in state history,” says Brittan Stockert, Executive Director, Babies of Homelessness. “New backpacks with school supplies can range from $65 to $100. For those living under the federal poverty line, often there are no funds left over for books and school supplies - even the basics of pencils and paper. When these supplies are not available in the home, homework often goes undone. In the past 2 years, more than 170 volunteers have helped set up 783 students for school-year success.”

Babies of Homelessness, founded in 2016, is focused on providing basic needs (diapers, formula, wipes, snacks) to families with young children (birth to age 8) experiencing homelessness in our area.

Babies of Homelessness operates a helpline that allows its volunteers to deliver necessities directly to families, whether they live in their cars, tent cities or homeless shelters.

Many of the families Babies of Homelessness serves are referrals from Crisis Connection 211 and from partners including DSHS Kids Start, Mary’s Place, Lake Washington United Methodist – Safe Park, Northshore Fire Department, Eastside Baby Corner, New Bethlehem Day Center, Everett Women’s Gospel Mission, Sacred Heart, and True Hope Village.

To date, Babies of Homelessness has helped more than 2,000 families and delivered more than 94,000 diapers.