About Us
We're a community of volunteers, advocates, and everyday people who believe that meaningful change begins with human connection. Through hands-on outreach, essential resources, and community partnerships, we work to support people experiencing homelessness and help create pathways toward a more stable future.
Our Story
Packs for Cold Backs began on Christmas Day in 2011, when four friends in Sacramento, California, came together with a simple goal: to make a difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness. What started as an effort to distribute backpacks filled with essential supplies soon became something much bigger.
Over the years, that small act of kindness grew into a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization committed to meeting people where they are, building meaningful community partnerships, and connecting individuals and families with the resources and support they need. While our work has evolved beyond backpacks, the belief that inspired our first outreach remains the same: everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect.
Our Mission
At Packs for Cold Backs, our mission is to improve the lives of individuals and families experiencing homelessness through compassionate outreach, essential resources, and meaningful community connections.
We believe that helping someone starts with recognizing their dignity and understanding their individual needs. Whether we're distributing backpacks filled with necessities, connecting people with local services, or helping families navigate the path toward stable housing, our goal is to provide support that makes a lasting difference.
Our work is driven by volunteers, strengthened by community partnerships, and guided by a simple belief: meaningful change happens when people come together to serve others.
Our Impact
Over the years, our work has reached far beyond distributing backpacks. From providing essential supplies and meals to supporting families facing housing instability, each initiative represents a tangible effort to address immediate needs while helping people move toward greater stability.
5,000+
Backpacks Distributed
150+
Volunteers
Dozens
of Community Partners
Countless
Lives Impacted
Direct Outreach
Meeting people where they are
Community Support
Powered by amazing volunteers
Essential Resources
Providing hope and practical support
Meet Our Leadership
Behind Packs for Cold Backs are people who believe that meaningful change begins with compassion and community. Since our founding in 2011, our leadership and dedicated volunteers have worked together to turn a simple idea into an organization committed to supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness.