WHAT WE NEED
We need people to get involved, whether it be by donating goods, money, or your time to help us pack the backpacks. You can also help by supporting our fundraising efforts. Together, we can make a difference.
We are always in need of donations to help fill our backpacks. Our latest news has details of goods that we are most in need of at the moment. We accept second hand items which are clean and in excellent condition, however, underwear must be new. Each nappy bags or backpack contains one gender (boy or girl) and a single clothing size. For example, a backpack may be for a child who wears girl's size 8 clothes.
These are the items we pack in our backpacks below. When a child arrives with a nappy bag or backpack their carer can concentrate on making them feel safe, instead of having to rush to an all night supermarket for supplies. These items can provide security as they fall asleep in a new home home.
Nappy Bags (Sizes 0000 - 0)
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5 disposable nappies
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Baby Wipes
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Feeding bottle/sippy cup
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Bib
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Baby brush/comb
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Nappy rash cream
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Dummy/pacifier
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Baby wash and moisturiser
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3 sets of clothes including onesies
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Soft toy or teddy
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Baby wrap/swaddle and blanket
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Baby formula (sample sizes pre-packaged)
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Small tissue pack
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Book to be read
Extra Love (when available)
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Cotton buds and cotton balls
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Change mat
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Perfume free baby powder
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Rattle and/or teether
Toddler Backpacks (Sizes 1-3)
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Soap/Bath Liquid
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Face washer or body sponge
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Toothbrush (in individual packaging) and toothpaste
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Hairbrush or comb
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Hairwash (mini size)
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Blankie
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Soft toy or teddy
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3 pairs of new undies
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1 pair of Socks
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Two sets of clothes
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One set of sleepwear
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5 Disposable Nappies/Pull Ups
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Small tissue pack
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Book to read or be read
Extra Love (when available)
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Pillow case
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Towel
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Activity or playtime toy
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Hat
Childrens Backpacks (Sizes 4-18/L)
Essential Items
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Soap / body wash / shower gel
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Face washer or boy sponge
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Toothbrush (in individual packaging) and toothpaste
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Hairbrush / comb
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Hair wash (hotel size / up to 100mL)
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Hair ties
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Small tissue pack
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Book to read
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Blankie
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Soft toy
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Two sets of clothes
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One set of sleepwear
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Torch (no button batteries)
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Face washer / body sponge
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3 pairs of new undies (in sealed packaging)
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1 pair of Socks
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Stationery pack (age appropriate):
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Crayons, pencils or textas
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Exercise or binder books
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Ruler/math-o-mat
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Pens and lead pencils
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Eraser
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Pencil Case and/or library bag
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pencil sharpener
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For sizes 12+:
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Hand towel
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Sanitary pads
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Lip balm/make up (new only)
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Hair styling products
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Deodorant (roll on only)
Extra Love (usually 3 or 4 of these in each ME Pack)
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Pillow case
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Towel
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Hat
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Lunchbox
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Water bottle
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Exercise books
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Nit wash and comb
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Moisturiser/body lotion
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Sunscreen
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Activity pack / scrap book
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Book to read or be read
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Diary/note pad
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Colouring book
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Jewellery
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Extra toys eg. cards, puzzles
Important:
NO AEROSOL CANS, NO NAIL POLISH, NO ALCOHOL BASED PRODUCTS, NO SHARPS OR GLASS
Your Time
Pick and Pack
To donate your time to help us to pick and pack these wonderful backpacks, please contact us on our Facebook page, or email adminteam@b4vk.org.au
Sewing for children in crisis
Several items can be made by clever people who love to sew:
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Simple drawstring bags help kids to keep their own toiletries together, neat and tidy.
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Nappy Bags, designed especially for B4VK recipients.
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Stationery bags which are pre-packed with all the stationery kids need to return to school after being relocated.
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Babies wraps, bunny rugs and blankets.
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Christmas sacks
These items add a wonderful handmade touch to the backpacks we give to the kids entering out-of-home care and emergency accommodation.
We often have a stash of donated material, ribbons, elastic and enthusiasm to create items needed to complete baby care bags and pre-packs bags. And if you don't want to sew you can knit or crochet baby rugs or clothing to add to the backpacks. Donations of sturdy cotton fabric, elastic, ribbon and sewing thread are another way you can give your support.
If you would like to make our B4VK Toiletry Bags, Stationery Bags or Nappy Bags specially designed for our B4VK recipients or our Christmas 4 Kids in Care Christmas Sacks, just click on the links provided and it will download a pattern to your computer, IPad or smart phone.
Happy Sewing Everyone.
Fundraising
Entertainment™ Book or Digital Membership
Entertainment™ Memberships are packed with hundreds of discounts including up to 50% off and 2-for-1 offers for the best local restaurants, cafés, attractions, hotel accommodation, travel, and much more!
It is great value and 20% of every membership sold contributes to our fundraising.
The Entertainment Book’s changed a bit. In fact, it’s no longer a book at all.
Instead, what was once the Entertainment Book is now an easy-to-use app that’s updated every few minutes – instead of once a year. That means we can give you even more possibilities to discover, more experiences to unlock, and more rewards to share.
You’ll still get a full 12 months of membership (no matter when you sign up). You’ll have the same great savings you’ve come to expect. And you’ll be able to make the same difference for the causes you care about.
But making the most of every day? That’s easier than it’s ever been.
Please note: You will be redirected to a third party payment page to complete the check out. For more information, or enquiries please contact us on (03) 8712 9545 or email adminteam@b4vk.org.au
School Projects
Launch a backpacks drive at your school. Ask your school community to support your project by, for example, bringing in a torch, dropping a blanket into a crate at reception, or asking your class teacher if you can lead a class project as part of your social justice learning. Chat with us about your ideas and we'll provide as much support as we can.