ROGERS, N.D. (AP) — Project Ignite Light, which provides backpacks filled with basic but useful items to abused or neglected children entering the social services system, has helped more than 16,000 children North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota since its launch in 2008, group representatives say.

Pebbles Thompson, Project Ignite Light founder, said it was more than 10 years ago that she recognized the need to provide support for children in abuse and neglect situations.

She says, “What we do is serve children of extreme child abuse when they’re brought into their local child advocacy center, which is strategically placed in the largest cities of every state.  When a child is brought in for a forensic exam or an interview to determine the extent of abuse that they’ve suffered, we provide that child with a backpack on the off-chance this child isn’t going to be returning home. We wanted to make sure they had everything they needed.”

Thompson said these backpacks, called “Bags of Hope”, include fleece tie blankets, pajamas, toothbrushes, books, flashlights, shampoo and other items.