She knew firms can always find a charitable partner, and there are hundreds if not thousands of charities willing to cash the check.

For Steed, profit, revenue, client services, mergers and acquisitions, growth strategies, executive coaching - those and other business issues had to come first. But last year when she found an unused invitation to an annual banquet for Project Connect Homeless Children's Fund on her desk, she picked up the telephone to make a contribution.

It was then that she heard a staggering statistic: the average age of a homeless person in the United States is 9 years old. A fourth-grader.

"That's when I knew that I had to help out. It wasn't a corporate donation kind of thing as much as it was that I have a passion for kids," she said.

She wrote the check and then committed herself to the charity by agreeing to serve on the fund's board of directors.

Serving children

Based at 940 Poplar St., West End, Project Connect Homeless Children's Fund is the only organization in Greater Cincinnati that exclusively serves homeless children. Many of these youngsters move seven or eight times a year.

This year the agency, which also provides after-school enrichment opportunities, snacks, school uniforms and a summer program, is hosting its eighth annual "Children's Faces Without Places" benefit on Nov. 12 at Drees Pavilion in Covington's Devou Park. Call (513) 363-1060 for more information.

One of its missions is to provide backpacks and school supplies.

Last year the charity gave away 276 backpacks, which are a lifeline for homeless youngsters.

"There is a whole different meaning for our kids," said Debbie Reinhart, director of Project Connect, which was founded in 1996 and serves about 2,000 children every year.

"They have to constantly carry their things with them - a toothbrush, toothpaste, stuff the normal child doesn't always pack in their book bag.

"Imagine coming home from school, and you've been evicted and everything has been thrown to the curb," Reinhart said. "A parent hasn't paid the bills. And a child becomes a victim through no fault of their own."

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E-mail jeckberg@enquirer.com