Mission and Story

Our goal is to end family homelessness across our nation. Stephen’s Backpacks Society has become a powerful agent of change for children and families in need across Southern Alberta. Through the variety of support programs we have been able to provide through generous donations from our local community and corporations worldwide, we have taken over 30 families permanently off the street and deliver more than 6000 backpacks in 2018 filled with basic necessities for school, personal hygiene, footwear and toys.

In an ideal world, everyone would have a roof over their head, clothes, shoes, food and a bed but that is not the case, even in Calgary. Stephen McPhee looked, saw, and didn’t look away. With the simple words “Mommy I need to help them!” Stephen became a voice for homeless children and started a story that has changed hearts. 

When Stephen spoke of a dream to help children in need, we recognized that this was not just a dream, but a vision of how things could be. We now consider ourselves charged with the task of casting that vision before us and our communities so that we can bring hope and support to those in need in our community.

While the circumstances are difficult and often sad, this is really a story about, belief, optimism, taking action and delivering hope. Our inspiration? The simple fact that if a six year old can envision a way to have an impact on his community, so can anyone else.