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Just want to share a project the womens group in our church has initiated. We made an appeal to our general congregation and are collecting duffle bags, mostly from walmart about $10.00 each and we are taking them to the county social services office to be given to children in the foster care program. Most of these kids take their belongings in garbage bags when they are moved from one home to another. This way they have something nice that belongs to them that they can be proud of and hopefully give them some much needed self esteem. Then someone got a brain storm and we salvaged like new teddy bears and other stuffed animals from our spring rummage sale and will put a bear in each bag.
The response from our congregation has been overwhelming. While we make many donations to missions that go overseas and are good causes, people loved the idea that we could make a difference in a childs life locally.

great idea. I think we will look into that as a summer project for our family.

Great idea and I agree, taking care of our own children seems to me to be more important than taking care of others overseas. I know that sounds harsh and crass, but if you want to feed the hungry, look around your own city--there are plenty of children needing food that only get the free breakfast and lunch provided at schools and get only the free lunch offered by certain schools during the summer.

You want to clothe people--there are plenty of battered women and children that leave in the night and don't take anything more than what is on their backs. There are plenty of people that lose all they own to hurricanes, tornados, and house fires each year that need clothing. Trust me, those of us that lost all due to Hurricane Katrina were NOT picky when we were given clothing if we had only what was on our backs!

You want to provide school supplies for children--then look only as far as the local schools in your neighborhoods---many children come to school with no paper, pencils, crayons, pens, shoes for their feet, etc. because they don't have the money to buy them.

You want to help young girls go to school to get their education by providing female sanitary products? Just talk to the local school nurses--I'm sure there are many young girls that have to miss because they have nothing to protect their clothing with. I'm a teacher and know of several of our students that had nothing except what we as teachers provided. I've known friends of my daughters that had nothing because Mom wouldn't provide them for them.

So I first of all apologize for getting on the soap box and second I want to thank you for suggesting something to help "our own"--the children here in the states that need our love, help and money as much as those overseas.

SHESEWSALL I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE YOUR SOAPBOX AGREE WITH YOU AND APPLAUD CLARED EFFORTS!!!!

WOWO.......someone after my own heart!!!!...........I have said this for years!!! Please take care of our own FIRST!!!

Thank you for saying it SO GRACEFULLY!!!

I'll get on that bandwagon with ya'll.....we need to take care of our own first. We don't have to look very far these days and it doesn't have to be anything big and/or expensive. What about the young mother in the grocery store isle, the one with the list in her hand and only store brand items in her basket trying to stretch that last dollar. Try to get in line in front of her and give the clerk an extra $20 for her bill. She isn't embarrassed by the charity and no on has to know about it except the clerk. Little thing DO count!

I know this was posted several months ago, but I am just now realizing that this index exists.

Regarding this topic, as a former social worker...I can't tell you in enough words how good it does my heart to read such generous acts of kindness. And I can assure you, the children will greatly appreciate this along with their foster parents and social workers. Not only do these children need it but they, too, want to be like privilaged children and have nice things.

There are too many to recall the number of children I had that would bring their belongings in grocery bags or garbage bags. And even if they had luggage, it was falling apart, stunk, stained, or just worn out.

If you don't mind, I can make several suggestions of items to put in them if you want to expand. Please don't take this as unappreciative of what you are already doing...just some suggestions if you want or need....toothepaste, toothbrushes, hair brushes, socks, special pillowcases (you will be surprised at the children who get attached to pillowcase...it's like taking a piece of home with them...it's a constant in an uncertain world), New Testament Bibles. These are just to name a few.

Hope I didn't intrude. I appreciate anything anyone does for these children as they are all too often forgotten when it comes to the "small things". People think that just because they were removed from the horrible environment that have all they need. Well, they do but they have wants also.

I'll stop as could go on and on. Thanks for all you are doing.

God Bless,
Hollypops

Thank you Hollypops for bumping this up. As a former foster care parent, the children who came to us had all of their (limited) possessions in a cardboard box and plastic bags. We ended up adopting two of our foster children, and I kept the box for years because they wanted me to; I think that shows just how little a foster child comes with. Our community does the same kind of outreach with duffles now, and I think it is wonderful. Bears and blankets also frequently come with the children now. As a side note, be extra careful to make sure there are items appropriate for boys. In our community there are more boys in foster care than girls, and most people make pretty little pink, frilly things.

Pam

Wow! Count me on the bandwagon too! My mom had a saying......."Charity begins at home" and I truly believe that. There are so many in our own communities that have needs. I've sewn clothing for the children of a family who lost all in a house fire; I've sewn things for victims of Katrina when our local Church was sending crews down to help and I have donated blankets, bibs, and diaper bags to groups that help moms in need, as well as warm hats, scarves, blankets, etc. for the homeless in our city. A few dollars and a little of my time can make a big difference. I love the dufflebag idea. As a younger parent, we took in two different foster children and they came with so little. Having something nice can bolster that self-esteem.

Keep up the good work and keep spreading the word...............charity does begin at home.
Kay

I haven't checked this subject in awile. Thanks so much, Hollpops,canoepam, and crazykay, for your suggestions.. This was truly a sucessful ministrry at our church and we plan on making it an annual effort. I especially like the pillowcase idea, I just started making them and now I have a reason to make more.
Clare

I wanted to thank all of you for this information. I run a small Cub Scout pack and I am always looking for GOOD service projects for my scouts (and their families) to work on. Acutally we already have an on-going project stocking local food banks for the needy. But, back to topic- I have setup and duffle/shooe box program within our unit. Our goal is to not only give the children a bag to put their belongings into, but fill with several of the suggested items toys and items children want and need such as school supplies, toys, hygiene items (toothpaste, toothbrushes, hair brushes), jewelry, hair stuff, socks, special pillowcases, and new/gently used stuffed animal, etc. Does anyone have any thoughts of anything else that we should be trying to include in the packages?

Goldie
www.StitchingGifts.com

Goldie:
As you are working with Cub Scouts, why don't you concentrate on items for boys? The majority of children in foster care are boys, and they are frequently overlooked due to the "cuteness" factor of girly things. Ask the Cubs to put themselves in the place of the other boys and see what they think of. It will be an eye opening experience for many of them, and it is a wonderful way to develop empathy towards others. Connecting children that are blessed with material goods to children who are not as blessed can be a crucial thing for both children.

Pam

This isn't a necessity, but most little boys love Hot Wheels. If you are doing something for the boys, a Hot Wheel or two is very inexpensive yet a little boy can get miles of play out it.

thank you for this great ideas!

I think it is great that you are helping to get bags to the local shelter for children. I too have been involved in making bags and quilts for kids living in county shelters. Sad that they all too frequently come without clothes, or if they have any clothes, they bring a black trash bag of their possessions. While they may have a small dresser, when living in the shelter, they really like having a bag of their own to keep their possessions on...and frequently hang it on the end of their bed.

I'm enclosing some photos of bags that I've made. I try to do a variety of styles & sizes, for various age groups.

You guys are doing great. DH and I were foster parents and had 17 children come through our home in one year. If you can work along with your local agency on a daily basis, and have the bags ready, I have another suggestion. My kids loved to have their name on their things. It made them aware that they had things that belonged to them and them only. No one else could take something if their name was on it. If you could have bags made up so that you could just add a quick name or initial, they would love it.

I would like to add my thanks for the goodness your providing...I am currently a foster parent, and I see what they do bring....You are correct in saying they DO NOT have much with them.....Blessings to everyone who commits to a better life style for anyone regardless of location.....

There are many different groups doing these type of bags. Another name is Bags of Love or It's My Very Own Bag. These have homemade bags and have a homemade quilt or fleece tied blanket, at least one stuffed animal. We are working on this for our area at church.