2026 Community
Interfaith Student Support Program (CISSP)
BACKPACK PROJECT

What is CISSP?

The Community Interfaith Student Support Program (CISSP) Backpack Project is an interfaith community project that grew out of a citywide meeting about social concern issues in Livermore in January 1993. Over the past 33 years, CISSP has distributed 29,185 filled backpacks to Livermore students in need, including kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school grades whose families experience financial hardship when attempting to provide their children with backpacks and school supplies. Thank you to all who have supported this project and Livermore students over the past 33 years!

Who is CISSP?

This year, 8 interfaith congregations from Livermore are participating in this project. Congregations include St. Charles and St. Michael Catholic Churches, Asbury Methodist, St. Bartholomew Episcopal, First Presbyterian, Congregation Beth Emek, Holy Cross Lutheran, and the Islamic Center of Livermore.

 
 

The Role of St. Charles:

For the 2026 project, St. Charles is committed to providing filled backpacks for 34 TK/Kindergarten, 35 elementary, and 15 middle/high recipients, and bags of school supplies. All donations are tax deductible and go directly to purchasing backpacks and supplies.

How you can help:

  1. Donate money for backpacks and supplies (Any donation is gratefully accepted):

    • Give cash or a check to St. Charles indicating that your donation is for the CISSP backpack project.

    • Donate through the collection basket in your weekly contribution envelope or give it to a Social Concerns Committee representative who will be on hand before and after weekend masses on July 11/12, 18/19, and 25/26.

    • Onsite credit card and smartphone donations can be made using our new “Donation Station” located in the Church on weekends and in the Parish Office during the week.

    • Donate ONLINE HERE and donate any amount with your credit card.



  2. Pick up a supply list after any of the masses July 11th through July 19th, shop for the listed supplies, then return them by Sunday, July 26.  



    Please see the upcoming bulletins and Flocknotes for ongoing information.

 

Feel free to contact Sue Putnam (m2csputnam@comcast.net) or Jean O’Neil-Opipari (vinnyop@comcast.net) with questions or if you know a family in need.



We look forward to the 34th year of the project!

As always, thank you for your prayers and continued generous support!

Your Social Concerns Committee