On Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Backpacks of Hope will distribute backpacks to the homeless at The Rescue Mission (301 W.Superior St, Fort Wayne, IN 46802). The media is invited to attend.

Backpacks of Hope was founded by Shelley Septer, mother of the late John “Zachery” Septer, who passed away in December 2011. This will mark the fifth year for the Backpacks of Hope distribution at The Rescue Mission.

Septer said her son did not know a stranger and that he cared deeply for people, treating everyone with respect and dignity. He spent a lot of his time with the homeless in the community. Zachery also had a strong faith in God and believed that all things were possible with God’s grace and love.

Through the support of many private donors, churches and businesses, including Kelley Automotive Group, more than 600 backpacks have been assembled and will be distributed locally. The backpacks contain essential items like hats, gloves, soceks, blankets, hygiene items, and nonperishable food items. Specially prepared backpacks will be available for men, women and children.

“We have been blessed with the outpouring of the community,” Septer said. “The backpacks have also been a huge part of the healing process for myself, my children, family, and friends. Zach’s heart lives on within all of us. We are blessed to be able to serve and give a hand-up to the people who are in need of help.”

For more information about Backpacks of Hope, please visit www.backpacksofhope.org.

For more information about the distribution, please contact Richard Cummins, at 260.426.7357 ext 138, or via e-mail at richard.