Grace Cathedral

We are delighted to be sharing the outcome of our 2024 backpack drive. We exceeded our goal, with 160 backpacks, water bottles, and handwritten notes distributed to young people preparing to return to school.

It was moving beyond words to be present with the children and youth at Bayview Mission as they received backpacks bursting with supplies, gorgeous water bottles, and beautiful cards addressed just to them.

As one volunteer shared, “Looking at all the children’s smiling and joy when picking out their favorite backpacks was a precious experience.”

We heard from a partner organization of Bayview Mission that distributed some of the backpacks to families how impactful these items were:

“(T)he impact is HUGE. These kids will now walk into school with excitement and enthusiasm for the new year.   And these packs also send a message that their community welcomes them and is invested in their success too.”

There are so many people to thank for the success of our drive, more than we could hope to name in this blog!

Thank you to the staff, Congregation Council, and congregations of Grace Cathedral, including our yoga community, who gifted their treasures, time, and talents to this initiative. Thank you to all who contributed to our drive for items, who wrote cards and who lent their hands and humor to the final packing effort!

Special thanks to the Grace Cathedral Stitching Ministry, who crafted caps for each child.

Thank you to the Diocese of California who supplied wonderful water bottles that will ensure our young people remain hydrated and healthy through the day. These bottles absolutely made the backpacks come to life.

Thank you to the many volunteers who took part in giving the backpacks to children at Bayview Mission.

Bayview Mission shows all of us how miracles can happen through constancy, faith, and love. The day of the backpack distribution was thrumming with laughter and noise, with many people coming to the mission. They were greeted by name with smiles, care, and love.

Such a ministry led for so many years with such grace, vision, and faith by the Ven. Canon Nina Pickerrell is transformative.

One volunteer shared, “I was once one of the children standing in line for a backpack, it is a good feeling to be part of today’s event.”

We are all blessed to be part of this great community of love!

Steph McNally
Formation Program Manager for Children, Youth, Families and Adults

The Ven. Canon Nina Pickerrell
Owner and Operator of Bayview Mission