One Atlanta-based nonprofit is proving that a thoughtfully packed backpack can restore dignity, build trust, and meet immediate needs for people living on the streets. And, sometimes, the simplest gestures make the biggest impact.
The Backpack Project Inc.’s Mission
“The overall mission is just easing the burden of homelessness,” said Ben Limbocker, CEO of The Backpack Project Inc., “But to me, it’s treating each person that you encounter as a true person.”
Whether it’s a full-scale event or a staff member handing out a bag from the trunk of their car, the mission goes beyond distribution: it’s about making a personal connection with each client that we serve.
Inside the Backpack: More Than Just Supplies
Since its founding, the group has distributed over 17,000 backpacks, each designed to meet real-world needs. The bags contain:
- Hygiene essentials: Toothbrush, toothpaste, combs, nail files, and other care items.
- Non-perishable food: Peanut butter crackers, trail mix, and snacks to fight hunger.
- Practical tools: Toilet paper, trash bags, and emergency blankets for safety and warmth.
- Socks and comfort: Thanks to a partnership with Bombas, every backpack includes high-quality socks, donated free of charge.
This “perfect recipe” focuses on survival while remaining adaptable to feedback.
Bringing the Story to Life at Lucie Content
To amplify their message and show the heart behind the mission, Lucie Content invited The Backpack Project Inc. into its Atlanta video production studio for a video feature. The team conducted a sit-down interview in a professional setting, allowing Limbocker to share the organization’s story.
Filmed with high-quality audio, lighting, and visuals, the studio interview gave the organization’s work a platform.
This collaboration reflects how media and storytelling can strengthen community work, ensuring more people hear about the need, and the solution.
Community Partnerships and Creative Distribution
One of the group’s signature events, Homeless Heroes Day, brings Atlanta businesses together to make a difference. Companies gather at a venue, pack about 150 backpacks each, and deliver them to shelters the same day. The event not only builds community but gives volunteers a firsthand look at the impact they’re making.
Always Listening, Always Improving
Even after distributing thousands of backpacks, the team doesn’t assume they have all the answers.
“We’ve come up with what we think is the perfect recipe to put in the backpack,” said Limbocker, “but we’re always open to new opinions and new perspectives to put the things in the backpack that will be the most beneficial for the unhoused individuals.”
