Bless the Back (Back to School and Warm Winter Coat Giveaway)

Bless the Backs Project

Equipping Youth and families Backpacks + Motivation to Start Strong For the last 7 years, every fall, Grow House rallies the community through our Bless the Backs program— a back-to-school drive designed to equip youth with backpacks filled with essential school supplies and motivational resources.

Why? Because we believe that “average person doesn’t live here.” Every child deserves to walk into school with the confidence that they are prepared, supported, and capable of achieving excellence. Impact so far: In just seven years, more than 1,905 youth and families have received Bless the Backs backpacks and countless smiles, hugs, and moments of encouragement have filled our distribution sites.

Bless the Backs is more than a giveaway. It’s a declaration that our community believes in its young people and is invested in their success. Warm Winter Coat Drive – In Partnership with One Warm Coat. As temperatures drop, too many children and families in Hampton Roads face the season without proper winter wear. Grow House’s Warm Winter Coat Drive ensures that every child can face the winter months with dignity, safety, and warmth.

This year, we are proud to partner with One Warm Coat, a national nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that anyone in need can receive a warm coat, free of charge and without barriers.

How it works: Community members donate new or gently used coats at our collection sites.

Grow House volunteers and partners help sort and prepare them for distribution. Families and youth in need receive coats directly at our giveaway events free, local, and with love.

Why it matters: Beyond protecting against the cold, a warm coat communicates care, belonging, and hope. It says, “You are not forgotten, and your community stands with you.” we don’t just serve youth — we serve the whole community. Every backpack, every coat, every event is a commitment to lifting up children, families, and neighbors so no one is left behind.