Fairhaven High Students’ ‘Backpacks of Hope’ Are Changing Lives This Winter

Fairhaven High School (FHS) students recently proved that a little kindness can go a long way, especially when it's packed into a backpack.

Just before the holidays, students in the Fairhaven High School National Honor Society completed a hugely successful community service project aimed at benefiting people experiencing homelessness in the greater New Bedford area.

Now as the winter weather hits the SouthCoast, the "Backpacks of Hope" project is helping to get much needed supplies into people's hands.

How the Backpacks of Hope Project Began

The idea of filling backpacks with much-needed supplies for the area's homeless began close to home. Longtime Fairhaven resident and FHS PTO president Mary Boucher learned that a local nonprofit was in need of essential items.

READ MORE: NB's Child & Family Services Calls For Help Beyond the Holidays

She shared the idea with her daughter, Elle, who took it straight to school.

Students Rally the Entire School

Under the supervision of FHS educator Allyson Collette, the FHS National Honor Society brainstormed Elle's suggestion and came up with ways to get the entire school involved. They even turned the collection into a homeroom contest to build excitement for the project.

READ MORE: SouthCoast Community Raises Over $30K For Holiday Wish 2025

And excited they were. Students decorated collection boxes and quickly began filling them with donations.

What Went Inside the Backpacks

After four weeks of collection, the students had amassed 28 backpacks along with hundreds of items including socks, body wipes, tissue packs, first aid items, hand warmers, oral care supplies, headlamps, jackets, gloves, hats and more.

Mrs. Boucher said, "I'm incredibly proud of our students and Blue Devil community for stepping up and showing compassion, leadership, and heart."

Where the Donations Are Going

All items donated were given to Works 4 U Inc., a local nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness through employment. President Trey Whalley praised the students' efforts, saying they showed "incredible generosity and the FHS Honor students have demonstrated great kindness and organization."

Works 4 U has helped hundreds of local individuals over the past five years in operation, including over 120 people this year alone.

Thanks to Fairhaven High School's "Backpacks of Hope" that impact is about to grow even greater, one backpack at a time.