One need beyond basic school supplies our Chicago school asked for in year one was coats.   Many students did not have the coats, hats and gloves needed to get to and from school during Chicago winters.  This need, larger than originally recognized, became a named project within Murphy’s Backpacks: Beyond the Backpack - Frenchie’s Closet.  Together with board member Cris Persico, Frenchie’s Closet was created to honor Cris’s daughter, Frenchie.  Frenchie was taken by cancer at age ten.  Frenchie’s huge heart and compassion for others was contagious and we are humbled to carry on her memory through this project at Murphy’s Backpacks. 

Since our start in 2017, Murphy’s Backpacks has been able to provide more than 250 Chicago students with high quality, brand new winter coats, hats and gloves so that students would not have to choose between staying home from school or going into the cold unprepared. 

The American Institute of Research published a report on Predictors for Postsecondary Success and in it was students who are absent less than 10% of the time are more likely to be promoted to the next grade level and receive higher grades in core subject areas.  By helping schools remove barriers that keep students from the classroom we are able to help schools do what they do best, educate children!