08/06/2026
I’m Cynthia Deitemeyer, owner of Sunflower Marketing & Social Media and General Manager of Outta The Ashes and Waterfront Collective in downtown Saint Joseph. For the past several years, I have organized our annual Project Backpack school supply drive to help local children start the school year with the tools they need to succeed.
While I organize this project, I cannot take credit for the idea.The inspiration came from my niece, Miranda, who passed away in 2006 at just seven years old. After her passing, our family established the Miranda Faith Foundation for Children to continue the kindness, compassion, and faith she shared with everyone around her.Miranda loved school. She loved learning. She loved helping people. But one of her greatest dreams was that every child would receive not only a backpack full of school supplies, but also a Bible. She believed every child deserved both the tools to succeed in school and the opportunity to know God’s love.
That dream became my mission.
Every backpack we fill is a tribute to Miranda’s beautiful heart. Along with notebooks, pencils, paper, folders, crayons, and other school essentials, each backpack will also include a Bible, honoring the dream of a little girl who believed every child should begin the school year with both hope for their education and hope in their heart.Over the years, this project has grown because of the generosity of our community. I have also been incredibly blessed to work for one of the most generous and community-minded people I know, Corey Carolla, whose unwavering support has allowed Outta The Ashes and Waterfront Collective to become proud partners in Project Backpack. His encouragement has helped us expand this mission and reach even more local families.
Beginning August 3, we will be collecting new backpacks and school supplies.
If you are able, we ask that you join us. Whether you donate one notebook or several backpacks, your generosity will make a difference in a child’s life. Together, we can help students walk into school with confidence, knowing their community believes in them. Thank you to everyone who has supported Project Backpack over the years. Together, we are not only filling backpacks—we are filling hearts with hope.
