Backpack Program
Since 2020, RABMIN has given away more than 10,000 backpacks to underserved kids in Costa Rica! Each backpack is packed in the USA by volunteers and filled to the brim with toys, art supplies, hygeine products, and, most importantly, an abundance of hope, joy and love.
Our 2026 goal: get backpacks in the hands of 7,500 kids who need it most!
Let's Get Started!
1
Make a Plan!
- Pick a time and location for your Packing Event
- Let us know how many backpacks you want to pack, we will purchase at a discounted rate all of the supplies you will need and bring them with us to your event
- Recruit volunteers to serve at the Packing Event
2
Let’s Do This Together!
- We’ll provide a RABMIN rep on-site to introduce the mission and project and help to facilitate the event
- Assemble the backpacks and box them up
- We will take the backpacks with us when we leave and ship them to Costa Rica for distribution
Pack with us,
double your impact!
Only $34/backpack
3
Let’s See Your Impact!
- Share your experience with us at gllbackpacks@rabmin.org or use #golivelove
- Follow RABMIN on social media to see pictures and videos of distribution events in schools and communities
- Come experience it for yourself – bring a group to hand-deliver backpacks with us in Costa Rica
It’s more than just packing a backpack,
it’s a chance to Go Live Love.
Did you know?
Let's get in touch!
Share the gift of joy and hope today!
Backpack Program FAQ
Why are you changing the format of the Backpack Program?
Because more kids deserve a backpack — simple as that! This new model lets us serve twice as many children while keeping quality high and the process smooth. Buying in bulk brings costs down, and that means more little hands holding more backpacks. Plus, your volunteers get more support and a deeper connection to the mission. It’s a win all around.
What is included in the cost to host the packing event?
You only pay for the backpack, its contents (18–20 items packed with love) + a $15/per backpack shipping and custom fee to get them to Costa Rica. That’s it! Everything else? We rely on the generosity of partners like you. If you’d like to contribute beyond that or just learn more about going deeper with RABMIN, we’d love to talk. Reach out to Fred Curry at fred@rabmin.org.
How long are packing events and how many volunteers will we need?
We estimate that 25 volunteers can pack 100 backpacks in just two hours — and yes, it flies by! The best part? There’s a role for everyone — little kids, grandparents, students, you name it. It’s one of those rare events where every generation can serve side by side. More volunteers? More backpacks, or a shorter event. We want this to be an all-inclusive event where everyone can participate. We’ll help you figure out the perfect setup.
What if our volunteers still want to purchase something to go into the backpacks?
Absolutely – we love this! There are lots of ways to make it personal. Some groups pick one special item, like a stuffed animal, to collect and include. We’ll help you find the option that fits your group best.
What kind of support will your team provide?
A lot — we’ve got you! From the moment you sign up, you’ll have a dedicated RABMIN team member by your side. You’ll get an Event Starter Kit with everything you need, help with logistics, materials, volunteers, and scheduling. On event day, our team is right there with you — hands-on, on-site, and ready to help your volunteers truly feel the impact of what they’re doing. From planning to execution, we’re there with you every step of the way.
Are there more opportunities to partner with RABMIN?
We’d love for you to go deeper with us and there are so many meaningful ways to do that. One of the most powerful is joining a mission trip to our Base Camp in Costa Rica. There’s something that happens when you stop hearing about a child and actually meet them — when you place a backpack in their hands and watch their face light up, or stand beside them during a food distribution and realize you’re not just giving supplies, you’re giving dignity and hope. These trips have a way of changing the people who come just as much as the communities they serve. We hope you’ll experience that for yourself. If you would like more info, email Fred Curry at fred@rabmin.org.
