Volunteers in Silverdale are helping to make sure survivors of domestic violence each receive a care package filled with essential items - and lots of love.

Two of the volunteers, Liane Koutris and Mel Jack, spend hours in a storage facility in Silverdale packing emergency care products into the brightly coloured backpacks for the local I’ve Got Your Backpack charity organsiation. 

I’ve Got Your Backpack was founded in 2016 and is a non-profit and registered NZ charity.

The colourful backpacks are filled with practical and essential items to give to survivors of domestic violence - women, babies, children, and even men. 

Liane said that survivors are forced to leave their abusive environment with nothing, and having a backpack with basic items in means a great deal to them. 

She said she heard of one child who refused to take the bag off his back. 

He even showered with it on. “He was overjoyed that he had something that was only his,” said Liane.

They do not deal directly with the survivors, but rather wait for the call from about 60 refuges and safehouses across New Zealand. 

Once they are contacted with the amount of backpacks they need, the packs are shipped to the refuges, who then hand them out to the survivors.

Several plastic boxes are piled from floor to ceiling in the storage facility and are filled with brand new items that are either donated or bought from government grants. 

They receive money from donations, fundraisers and businesses. 

Some businesses donate their ‘old’ stock, like teddy bears and colouring in books. 

“We have an amazing retired woman we know who buys several meters of fleece material and then sews the edges for baby blankets,” said Mel. 

“We also have someone who knits booties, beanies and some baby clothes that we pack into the packs.”

“It’s wonderful knowing there are people in the community who want to help make a difference in someone else’s life,” said Mel.

The backpacks have age-appropriate and gender-appropriate toiletries. 

These toiletries are a sealed toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap and shampoo. There are no razors in the backpacks. 

The local charity organisation packs and couriers about 4 000 backpacks a year, with nearly 2 000 for children. 

There is less demand for men’s packs and send less than 100 a year.

The women receive tissues, sanitary items, a facecloth, a hairbrush, two coffee sachets, a healthy snack, a journal and a pen. 

The women don’t have a backpack, but instead a tote bag that can be used for shopping.

The children's and teenagers’ backpacks are age and gender appropriate.  

“Children love to receive the brightly coloured backpacks and many use the bags for kindy and school,” said Mel.

In the children’s packs are a cuddly toy, an activity/colouring book, an age-appropriate toy, a reading book and a healthy snack.

Teenagers will find two hot chocolate sachets, muesli bars, a hairbrush, a facecloth, a notebook, a grown-up colouring book and a piece of jewellery in their backpacks. 

The baby packs are packed with baby toiletries, a bib, a facecloth, wet wipes, a blanket, a baby bottle, a hat/beanie and booties. 

Some bags could include clothes, baby food, crockery and cutlery.

The men’s packs have shaving cream, muesli bars, coffee sachets, a notebook and a pen. 

Liane said the cost of courier services has skyrocketed and would love it if there are kind-hearted people in the community who have a large car, travel often and are able to transport the backpacks. 

“In this way, we can save on courier fees and spend the money buying products,” said Liane.

“The filled backpacks are something we are able to give back to those who have been through a lot. It’s the little things in life, like the contents of the pack, that mean so much to someone who left with nothing.”

Those who want to help, can either donate directly, help fill the packs or sponsor a pack. Email Liane or Mel at [email protected]