In 2016, a seventh grader, Will Dobrient, was moved by the number of people he saw facing homelessness. Their handmade cardboard signs became commonplace from one street corner or bridge to the next. Either he was getting older and noticing it for the first time, or the problem was getting worse. Or, perhaps both.
He wanted to do something to help. In the middle of a searing hot Texas summer, people were burning up, thirsty, and hungry. In talking with family and friends, he came up with the idea of a life pack; a bag containing a water bottle, protein bar, beef jerky, and a meal gift card.
Loading up the family car, he began distributing his life packs. As he handed them out, he was blown away by the expressions of appreciation. Their gratitude made him want to do more.
A few years later, four middle school students heard what Will was doing and came together wanting to make a difference. It seemed obvious that clothing and food would be of help to those living on the streets. To make a greater impact, they created a charity called The LifePak Initiative.
