Preteen girl hands out backpacks, chicken dinners to Winnipeg homeless
A 12-year-old Winnipeg girl was busy Tuesday night providing necessities to those in the city that needed them the most.
Callie Costello started the campaign, known as Callie's Backpacks, two years ago. Her idea was to collect backpacks, fill them with toiletries, water, and snacks, and then hand them out to Winnipeg's homeless. Tuesday, volunteers stuffed more than 200 bags and distributed them in front of the Salvation Army on Henry Street.
In the two years since she started, Costello's organization has given out more that 1,500 backpacks.
Costello said she thinks many people could use a lesson in compassion when thinking about those in need.
"They need it. I mean some people think they should just get a job. But you can't get a job if you don't have a phone number, address, it's impossible," she said.
There was the added bonus that there were 450 chicken dinners to hand out to those that came, donated by Chicken Chef.
Jeff Allan took Costello up on her offer of a free backpack and said he really appreciated the practical bag.
"For someone that age – usually what they want is an iPhone or an Xbox – and here she is out here helping us. That's amazing I think. We really appreciate it," Allan said.
