Michelle Schiller-Baker will be the featured guest speaker at Project Backpack's fundraiser luncheon open to the public at Russo's Spazio Westport on November 21 at noon.

ST. LOUIS, MO., October 18, 2009

Project Backpack Board member Fran Wilner of Glendale is chairing the event along with Judy Glazer.  Wilner said, “We are so pleased that Michelle Schiller-Baker will be our featured speaker!  As Executive Director of St. Martha’s Hall, a shelter program for abused women and their children, Michelle has so much to share with our audience.  We are also delighted to be working with the Russo family, who have so generously provided their facility and worked with us so that much of the luncheon proceeds will help to fill backpacks.”

Project Backpack St. Louis has grown tremendously in the 10 years since its beginnings in its founder’s basement in 1999.  Project Backpack supplies backpacks filled with necessities and comfort items for local children who are taken from their homes due to domestic violence and other crisis situations.  "Unfortunately the need continues to grow every year," says Judy Pearlstone of Creve Coeur, Project Backpack Executive Director.  Pearlstone adds, "We are celebrating helping these children to have better tomorrows.  We’ve been doing it for 10 years and need to keep going strong despite this challenging economy."

The November 21 birthday luncheon at Spazio Westport, 12103 Lackland Road, is open to the public. A full set-menu lunch including beverage and dessert will be served.  $18 tickets (tax-deductible as a donation to Project Backpack) must be purchased in advance.  For reservations or more information, call the Project Backpack office (314) 993-3033.

About Project Backpack

Project Backpack is the not-for-profit organization that helps local children who are taken from their homes due to domestic violence and other crisis situations.  Backpacks – filled with age and gender appropriate necessities and comfort items – are provided to social workers, shelters, and police to distribute “on-the-scene” and at the moment of need.  There is no other organization in the St. Louis area addressing children's immediate needs for emergency items such as sleepwear and toiletries during their first hours and days of transition.  When frightened and insecure children are taken from their homes, receiving one of the filled backpacks, right there on the spot, helps alleviate some of their inner turmoil.  Started in 1999, Project Backpack now distributes about 250 backpacks per month throughout St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County. To accomplish its mission, Project Backpack relies on volunteers (to pack backpacks) and donations.

Contact:  Marlene Dale, Director of Communications, Project Backpack at backpackstl@sbcglobal.net or 314-993-3033.  On the web: http://www.projectbackpackstlouis.org