Backpack for Kids

Published June 2, 2026
Backpack for Kids

 "If anyone has material possessions and sees (kids) in need but has no pity on them how can the love of God be in that person?"  1 John 3:17

We want to take a moment to thank Northcross Church for the support of our Backpack sewing project, for which a weekly sewing group has recently commenced at the Northcross facilities. The purpose of this note is to provide the church leadership with information on the background to the project, so that it can be seen as an opportunity for extending the ministry of the church. 

Our Backpack project commenced in 2022, when we were resident in Orewa and attending Orewa Baptist Church, and where, for the last four years, ladies from the church, under Shirley’s leadership, have met weekly to sew backpacks. These packs are used as reading incentives for primary school children in low decile areas of Auckland. Liz Symons from Northcross Church has been assisting in the sewing group and this has been a key factor in Liz’s willingness to lead the new group at Northcross.  

In 2024, we moved to Long Bay, where Shirley established a second backpack sewing group meeting in our home weekly. This group is made up of Christian friends, Rotarian friends, and folk from the Long Bay Community. 

Now, the third sewing group is being established at Northcross Community Church (where we now attend), with Liz Symons taking the lead. 

We feel that it is appropriate to update the NX leadership regarding the background to the project and what has been achieved over the last four years since its inception. Four years ago, Shirley felt called by God to help in addressing in a practical way the issues of poverty, low attendance and low literacy levels in low decile schools. Prompted after hearing on a TV News item, the Principal of May Rd (Mt Roskill) Primary School, Linda Stuart, speaking about the huge needs in her community. With Shirley’s previous experience as a Plunket Nurse, she was acutely aware of how families struggle in these areas. Thus began the journey of sewing backpacks at OBC. The backpacks are used by the school staff as prizes and incentives for literacy achievements by their students.  

Shirley is leading the practical side of the project and Derek is providing support with financial management and coordination of grant funding etc. Richard Thornton, a retired teacher who has had responsibilities in the Education Review Office, is assisting in identifying suitable recipient schools. 

Achievements since the project inception in 2022 include: 

  • ·Completion of a total of 1021 backpacks, delivered to four schools in west and south Auckland 
  • Also 800 pencil cases have been made by one of the Orewa ladies, and filled with pens, pencils, rubbers etc- donated by folk from Browns Bay Rotary. A pencil case is included in each backpack 
  • ·Other items typically included in each pack are a drink bottle, toothbrush, soap, beanie or sunhat, reading book etc. These have been donated by various community contacts both in Orewa and the North Shore. 
  • The commercial retail value of a fully equipped backpack is $30-$35. The net cost of each of the packs our groups produce is approx. $8. This cost outcome is achieved thanks to generous donations of fabric from sewing ladies, church friends, and plus purchase of some required items from low-cost outlet shops. 
  • Since the project inception, we also acknowledge significant financial support totalling in excess of $8000. This funding has come from various individuals, plus grants from Rotary Clubs. 
  • The feedback from the recipient schools is that they are achieving increases in school attendance, and improvements in the children’s literacy levels. We are hearing that the teachers are extremely grateful to have the backpacks available as incentives and rewards for the children. 
  • The sewing groups have proven to be an opportunity for women to work together and get fulfilment from involvement in a worthwhile project. 

Current initiatives: 

1. The new Northcross sewing group is being led by Liz Symons and is in an early phase of establishment.

2. Lyn Court from the Orewa group has agreed to take over the leadership of the Orewa sewing group. This will free Shirley to assist in the establishment of the Northcross group. Shirley will continue to support the Orewa group with supply of materials needed for backpacks. 

3. The Long Bay sewing group that has been meeting in our Long Bay home is about to be relocated to Browns Bay Presbyterian Church 

Above all, we give praise and thanks to our loving Heavenly Father for the motivation for this project, for the support of Christian friends, and the opportunity it is to witness to non-Christian friends through the sewing group as a practical expression of our faith.

by Shirley & Derek Smith