THOMASVILLE, N.C. — Shirley Byerly is helping out her community by becoming a resource people can turn to when in need.

What You Need To Know

  • Shirley Byerly started the BackPack Healthcare Program in 2015

  • BackPack Healthcare Program is being piloted at Fair Grove Elementary in Thomasville

  • Families receive a backpack with hygiene supplies every two weeks 

Byerly started the BackPack Healthcare Program in 2015 for families in Davidson County who couldn’t afford hygiene items like toothpaste, deodorant, toilet paper or even shampoo.

"If these families are on food stamps or other kind of assistance, these are things they typically can’t get with their EBT card," said Edna Amos, a volunteer for BackPack Healthcare.

In August, Byerly launched a pilot of the BackPack Healthcare Program for Thomasville schools, starting with Fair Grove Elementary.

She says having access to basic supplies such as a toothbrush or soap can bring a big improvement to kids' lives.

"Getting these and making a difference in a child's life every single day... the child gets up knowing every single day they can brush their teeth, knowing that they can take a bath, knowing they can use toilet paper when they need it, knowing all these things is very, very powerful for that child," Byerly said.

Each family receives a backpack every two weeks, and the amount of supplies is based on the size of the family. Byerly delivers those backpacks to families every other Saturday with her husband.

"A lot of them do not have transportation, they have no way of coming to get the backpack. So when we get the application, we look at the address and we make our big circle," Byerly said.

But the BackPack program supplies also go to other families in the community, as well.

"The program doesn’t just get the family for one year. They continue to work with that family as long as they have children in school," Amos said.

Byerly is working to get this program into all Title 1 schools across the state. The program runs on donations. To find out more about donating supplies or joining, call Byerly at 336-847-2131.