Support Foster Kids: Comfort in a Backpack

Many kiddos entering the foster care system do so with very few, if any, of their personal items. A lot of these kids have to put the few items they do possess in a trash bag.

Imagine with me for a second... a little kid asleep in their room when they are woken up by a stranger. They are told they will be leaving home to stay with a family they have never met before. They have five minutes to grab whatever items they would like to take with them and to say goodbye to their parents. Imagine trying to think clearly in that moment. Imagine the emotions they must be feeling. Imagine how alone and scared they must feel, even if they have a wonderful case worker and a caring foster family.

This is where we come into play. We are putting together backpacks with a few comfort and hygiene items for the kids coming into foster care in our district. The idea is to provide them each with some items they can call their own, provide a sense of comfort, autonomy, a bag to put their personal items in, and a reminder that there are people who care about them.

The bags are separated into two age groups. Littles: 2-8

* A blanket

* A stuffed animal

* Socks

* Pajamas (we bring these separate, so the case workers can choose the appropriate size)

* A toy (baby doll, truck, ball, etc)

* A book

* Toothbrush & Toothpaste

* A drink (Good to Grow Character cup)

Older kids/teens: 9-18

* A blanket

* A stuffed animal (squishmellows, because even big kids like those)

* Something special (a travel cup, fidget toys, face masks, etc)

* Pajamas (see above comment on pajamas)

* Socks

* A journal & pen

* Toiletries- shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, chap stick

* A drink (propel)

My goal is to provide every child entering the foster care system in our district (Washington and Hancock counties) with one of these bags.

Who knows, maybe we will eventually be able to provide for the entire State of Maine!

I plan to do a bag drop-off once a month. We have done the first drop, but I am going to need financial help to keep this going!

Ways you can help:

● I have opened up a bank account specifically for these bags. That is the account that will be attached to this gofundme. I promise every cent will be used to fill these bags.

● I have also made an Amazon wishlist if you'd prefer to help in that way.

● You can also just pick up any of the items I listed above and mail them to me or drop them off! We always need pajamas and backpacks! If you are out and about and see some, pick them up! :) Message me for my mailing address if you want to help out in this way.

● You can pray! I fully believe that God is calling me to spearhead this ministry. We are the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. He will provide. Please pray

Thank you so much for reading through all of this and THANK YOU for giving and/or praying!

No child deserves to go through this. The least we can do is provide them with a small bit of comfort.