Since its inception in 2014, Backpacks 4 VIC Kids has stood as a beacon of hope for children facing crisis. Founded by Sally Beard with the aim of providing crisis packs to children during sudden relocations, the charity is dedicated to offering comfort, reducing anxiety, and restoring dignity in challenging times for children and teenagers.
“Carers do not always have the means to provide all essential items for every child who may be placed in their care and often the children have only the clothes they are wearing.”
The urgency and scale of this mission are underscored by harrowing statistics that the charity looks to help improve. Across Australia, 45,000 children are in out-of-home care, with over 11,000 in Victoria needing support each night. Backpacks 4 VIC Kids has been a significant force for good, distributing over 9,253 crisis packs and providing $5.6 million in material aid across multiple regions. This included a recent contribution of $1,464,345 in aid to 8,247 children and young people.
Teoma Group has actively contributed to this cause over the years, undertaking various projects to aid the charity, from donating supplies and time to providing electrical services for setting up and maintaining warehouses and event spaces. With the increased demand for goods post-pandemic and the current economic climate in Australia, the facility faced the need to expand in preparation for the upcoming holiday period.
Key Project Works
Recognising the needs of the Backpacks team, Teoma Group collaborated with the team at Dexion, the experts in smart storage solutions, to facilitate the expansion of the charity’s storage facilities. This project involved installing a mezzanine, staircase, and goods lift, significantly enhancing the charity’s operational capacity.
Teoma’s Commercial Division oversaw the supply and installation of energy-efficient LED lighting, as well as exit and emergency lighting under and above the new mezzanine, in addition to installing power outlets in the factory.
This project was made possible through the generous support of Lawrence and Hanson Pakenham, AWM Nunawading, and SAL Lighting. Their contributions highlight the importance of collaborative efforts in making a significant difference in the community.
Teoma Group is proud to support local charities like Backpacks 4 Vic Kids. The profound impact of Backpacks 4 Vic Kids in the community is immeasurable, evidenced not only by their substantial material aid but also by their unwavering dedication to uplifting and transforming the lives of countless vulnerable children across Victoria.
