BENTON/MT. VERNON – State Representative Dave Severin has announced his annual Backpacks for Buddies and Stuff the Backpacks Holiday Donation Drive to benefit minors placed in emergency foster care and other individuals in need of basic necessities such as medical supplies, socks, and related items.
“We are so thankful to the people of Southern Illinois who have already supported our previous drives,” Severin said. “Because of the success of our previous efforts, local children who are placed in foster care get a new backpack filled with things they need while they are transitioning away from their previous home. I am proud to be working closely with local child wellness advocacy groups this year for our Backpacks for Buddies and Stuff the Backpacks Holiday Donation Drive.”
Here’s how the public can help. Donate a new backpack (can be themed for boys or girls, or neutral colors). Donating individuals may also fill the backpack with supplies or bring supplies to fill empty backpacks. Suggested donations include: full size pillows, small throw blankets, toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, body wash, bar soap, feminine hygiene products, coloring and activity books, crayons, colored pencils, markers, or any other item that would help a child make a difficult situation a little bit more comfortable or help an adult in need of basic supplies meet their needs.
Rep. Severin will be collecting “Backpacks for Buddies” through Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at either his Mt. Vernon district office located at 2209 E. Broadway, Ste. 3, or his Benton office located at 805 N. Main Street.
The backpacks and the supplies to stuff the backpacks will be distributed to CASA, The Hope Center, and the United Way and their subsidiary partners who will assist in distributing the backpacks to children in need. For more information, please visit RepSeverin.com/BackPacksforBuddies or call (618) 440-5090.
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