Americans Pack Hope in Backpacks for Inner-City Kids Nationwide

NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2007—Thousands of inner-city students will have a better chance of staying in school this year due to the simple work of some caring volunteers. PowerPacks is a program providing inner-city students in need with backpacks stuffed with school supplies.

"Having proper school supplies can mean the difference between a child staying in school and dropping out," said Ted Gandy, national director of Here's Life Inner City, an urban outreach of Campus Crusade for Christ, the world's largest school campus ministry (at work on more than 1,200 campuses worldwide). "A simple PowerPack can change a child's attitude about school and break the cycle of poverty, as it empowers the youngster to dream about the future."

The PowerPacks, donated by volunteers across the nation, will be distributed to kids in need through Here's Life Inner City S.A.Y. Yes! centers and partner churches. More than 145 S.A.Y.Yes! centers are in operation around the country, developing at-risk children into strong leaders. Operated by inner-city churches, the centers provide children tutoring, computer training, mentoring, Bible classes and other activities designed to nurture their development.

"When you have nothing, hope is a precious commodity," said Gandy. "Here's Life Inner City's PowerPack project is not just about meeting physical needs, but also bringing hope and joy into the lives of children."

The PowerPack program currently helps some 3,000 children per year, but would like to do more. For information regarding participation in the PowerPack campaign, call (212) 494-0321 or visit www.HLIC.org.

Here's Life Inner City, the urban ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ, International, is dedicated to equipping churches to provide help and hope to the poverty-stricken in their communities. Since 1983, Here's Life Inner City and more than 1,000 partner churches and organizations have been responding to the growing epidemic of poverty and despair in the inner city.  The wide-ranging efforts have provided the poor with food and other basic necessities, life skills, career development and youth development programs.

MEDIA NOTE: For city-specific PowerPack distribution details, contact Karen Dye at (404) 538-8591.

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