Handing a child a backpack sends them an important message: We think you are brave and valuable, and we want you to have what you need to go on your next adventure.
The Pieces of Home Backpack Project was formed to provide every child discharged to the care of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) with a stuffed backpack. The backpack includes new pajamas, underwear, small toys, a snuggly animal, a fleece blanket, and books.
Many of these children are coming from situations that have been unsafe and unpredictable, and it is important to provide them with emotional and physical support. Our backpacks provide these displaced children with a sense of ownership and bring a small amount of normalcy to an unfamiliar world.
As of 2025, we've donated over 3,200 backpacks!
We're based at Boston Medical Center but work in many other hospitals across New England and upstate New York. Please contact us for more information and resources if you're looking to start a Pieces of Home program in a new location.
Pediatric Emergency Department
Other Locations
Boston Children's Hospital |
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Massachusetts General Hospital |
Metro West Hospital | |
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Baystate Children's Hospital |
Rochester General Hospital |
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital | ||
St. Luke's Hospital
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In December of 2008, a mother arrived in the pediatric emergency department at BMC, and asked us to place her child in foster care while she worked to get her life back on track. She was concerned for her child, and heartbroken, because she knew she would have to say goodbye. Her son was a smart and engaging eight-year-old boy, who the Department of Children and Families soon pla
ced with a foster family. Upon discharge to his foster home, we realized that he had no belongings with him. It was around the holiday, so we had accumulated a few donated items in the hospital and put together a backpack with supplies to last the child for the upcoming twenty-four hours.
He looked though the backpack, which included many kid-friendly items, and behold: we saw the first smile of the day when he picked up the LEGO toy. As he was leaving with DCF, he said, “Thank you so much for the backpack. Now I can go to school tomorrow!”
Despite the chaos and his separation from his mother, the first thing on his mind was getting back to the fundamentals of childhood, starting with his own education. That was the day that we began to think "why can’t we do this for every child placed from the emergency department into custody?"
The joy and positive feelings which were created by organizing just one backpack for this one child were overwhelming. This simple idea gathered momentum and we began to create backpacks for all displaced children during their difficult transition.
There are many ways to help a child through Pieces of Home!
To donate financially with a tax deductible donation, visit the BMC Development donation's form. In the Donation Information section, please select "Direct my Gift to Other" and type in Pieces of Home.
To donate supplies by putting together a completed backpack or buying supplies to be used in backpacks, visit our Amazon wish list or download our list of items included in each backpack (left column) along with suggestions for specific items.
If you're looking to donate time by helping us sort or pack backpacks or organizing a supply drive in your community, please reach out to individual locations of our program.