Clothing
New pajamas, underwear, socks and everyday basics sized for the child.
Dignity from the very beginning
Every backpack
tells a story.
When a child enters foster care, everything familiar can change in a moment. A CPI backpack brings 48 hours of essentials, comfort, and one unmistakable message: you are seen, valued, and not alone.
For the First 48 hoursPacked with Purpose
CARE
STARTS
HERE
STARTS
HERE
Goal date: 2026-10-31
500 Backpack Challenge
Help us fund 500 backpacks for 500 children entering foster care.
66of 500 funded
Fund the next oneWhat brings you to CPI?
Give. Build. Connect.
Whether you give resources, build backpacks with others, or open the next door, there is a place for you in this story.
Why CPI exists
A backpack may seem simple.
But in a child’s first hours in care, it can say everything that matters: someone thought about me.
Together, we can deliver hope.
Care Package Inbound is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving the foster care community in greater Kansas City. CPI was founded in 2019 and publicly launched in 2021 after co-founder Jessica Silvey began asking how the community could better support children and families navigating foster care. She invited co-founder Chris Youngdale into the work, and a plan to deliver a few care packages grew into a community-wide mission.
We provide practical support, restoration, and education while protecting the dignity of every child and family at the center of the story.
Our visionTransforming the foster care community to make a generational impact.
Read our full story →The first 48 hours
Care, packed with purpose.
Children may be picked up from home, school, a hospital, or a police station, often with little time to gather belongings. Every CPI bag is new, age-appropriate, and prepared with dignity.
Hygiene
Personal-care essentials so no child has to feel like a burden for needing the basics.
Comfort
A blanket, book, journal, stuffed animal or activity chosen with age in mind.
A bag of their own
A durable backpack that replaces the trash bags too often used during transitions.
Bags for every stage
Premature+
WHAT'S IN THE BAG?
Premature
Premature
- Backpack
- Baby hairbrush
- Baby comb (optional)
- Baby wash 3-in-1 (sensitive skin, travel size)
- Premature diapers, 10-pack (non-scented)
- Wipes, 50+ pack (non-scented)
- Diaper rash cream
- Pacifier
- Baby bottle
- Stuffed animal (knitted octopus preferred)
- Blanket (30 × 40)
- 2 premature-size onesies
- Premature-size socks
- Premature-size pajamas
Infants+
WHAT'S IN THE BAG?
Infants
0–6 months
- Backpack
- Baby hairbrush
- Baby comb (optional)
- Baby wash 3-in-1 (sensitive skin, travel size)
- Size 3 diapers, 10-pack (non-scented)
- Wipes, 50+ pack (non-scented)
- Diaper rash cream
- Pacifier
- Baby bottle
- Stuffed animal
- Baby toy
- Blanket (30 × 40)
- 2 onesies, size 3–6 months
- Socks, size 3–6 months
- Pajamas, size 3–6 months
6–12 months
- Backpack
- Baby hairbrush
- Baby comb
- Baby wash 3-in-1 (sensitive skin, travel size)
- Size 4 diapers, 8-pack (non-scented)
- Wipes, 50+ pack (non-scented)
- Diaper rash cream
- Pacifier
- Baby bottle
- Stuffed animal
- Baby toy
- Blanket (30 × 40)
- 2 onesies, size 6–12 months
- Socks, size S / 1.5–4
- Pajamas, size 6–12 months
Toddlers+
WHAT'S IN THE BAG?
Toddlers
1 year
- Backpack
- Hairbrush
- Comb
- Toothbrush
- Kid toothpaste (travel size)
- Shampoo (travel size)
- Size 4 diapers, 8-pack (non-scented)
- Wipes, 50+ pack (non-scented)
- Diaper rash cream
- Pacifier
- Baby bottle
- Stuffed animal
- Baby toy
- Blanket (30 × 40)
- 2 onesies, size 18 months
- Baby pants, size 18 months
- Socks, size M / 4–8.5
- Pajamas, size 18 months
2 years
- Backpack
- Hairbrush
- Comb
- Toothbrush
- Kid toothpaste (travel size)
- Bar of soap
- Shampoo (travel size)
- Conditioner (travel size)
- 2 pull-ups (non-scented)
- Stuffed animal
- 4–8 crayons
- Coloring book
- Blanket (50 × 60)
- Shirt, size S / 6
- Pants or leggings, size S / 6
- Socks, size M / 9–2.5
- Underwear, size 6
- Pajamas, size S / 6
3–4 years
- Backpack
- Hairbrush
- Comb
- Toothbrush
- Kid toothpaste (travel size)
- Bar of soap
- Shampoo (travel size)
- Conditioner (travel size)
- 2 pull-ups, size 4T–5T (non-scented)
- Stuffed animal
- 4–8 crayons
- Coloring book
- Washcloth
- Blanket (50 × 60)
- Shirt, size S / 6
- Pants or leggings, size S / 6
- Socks, size M / 9–2.5
- Underwear, size 6
- Pajamas, size S / 6
Ages 5–6+
WHAT'S IN THE BAG?
Ages 5–6
Ages 5–6
- Backpack
- Hairbrush
- Comb
- Toothbrush
- Kid toothpaste (travel size)
- Bar of soap
- Shampoo (travel size)
- Conditioner (travel size)
- 2 pull-ups, size 4T–5T (non-scented)
- Stuffed animal
- 4–8 crayons
- Coloring book
- Blanket (50 × 60)
- Shirt, size S / 6
- Pants or joggers, size S / 6
- Socks, size M / 9–2.5
- Underwear, size 6
- Pajamas, size S / 6
Ages 7–9+
WHAT'S IN THE BAG?
Ages 7–9
Ages 7–9
- Backpack
- Hairbrush
- Comb
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste (travel size)
- Bar of soap
- Shampoo (travel size)
- Conditioner (travel size)
- Stuffed animal
- 4–8 crayons
- Coloring book
- Blanket (50 × 60)
- Shirt, size 8 / M
- Pants or joggers, size 8 / M
- Socks: boys S, girls M
- Underwear: boys S / 8, girls M / 8
- Pajamas, size 8 / M
Ages 10–12+
WHAT'S IN THE BAG?
Ages 10–12
Ages 10–12
- Backpack
- Hairbrush
- Comb
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste (travel size)
- Bar of soap
- Shampoo (travel size)
- Conditioner (travel size)
- Journal
- Pen
- Stuffed animal
- Blanket (50 × 60)
- Shirt, size 12 / L
- Pants or joggers, size 12 / L
- Socks: boys M, girls L
- Underwear: boys M / 10–12, girls L / 10–12
- Pajamas, size 12 / L
Teens+
WHAT'S IN THE BAG?
Teens
Teen bags · XS–3XL
- Backpack
- Hairbrush
- Comb
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste (travel size)
- Bar of soap
- Shampoo (travel size)
- Conditioner (travel size)
- Deodorant
- Journal
- Pen
- Word puzzle, adult coloring book, or similar activity
- Blanket (50 × 60)
- Shirt, size XS–3XL
- Pants or joggers, size XS–3XL
- Socks: men’s 6–12 or women’s 5–10
- Underwear, size XS–3XL
- Pajamas, size XS–3XL
Also in teen girls’ bags
- 4 pads
- Face wipes
Hover or focus to see what is inside. Tap an age group on mobile.
Donation note: CPI accepts new items only. Items should be safe and free from adult content, substance references, or family-specific wording.
Our impact
Local care.
Lasting impact.
Across Greater Kansas City, a growing community is helping children enter foster care with essentials, comfort, and dignity.
Greater Kansas City · Kansas · Missouri3,400+Backpacks delivered
27Distribution points
100%Free to foster youth
Every number represents a child. CPI backpacks are assembled by staff and volunteers, then placed with local social workers, hospitals, law enforcement, and community partners who can put practical care directly into a child’s hands when it is needed most.
Built together
Our community partners help hope travel farther.
From distribution and storage to funding and team builds, partnership turns generosity into practical care.
Distribution partner
Children’s Mercy Kansas City
Helping place thoughtfully prepared backpacks with children when care begins.
Community build partnerWaypoint Mutual
Bringing people together to build care packages and expand local impact.
Foster care partnerCornerstones of Care
Partnering with children and families to build safe, healthy communities.
Distribution partnerKansas City Missouri Police Department
Connecting CPI backpacks with children and young people during urgent transitions.
Foster care partnerKVC Health Systems
Serving children and families and helping practical support reach those entering care.
Funding partnerVeterans United Foundation
Investing in local service and helping CPI deliver hope to more children.
Creative partnerJT VSUALS
Supporting the visual storytelling that helps CPI’s mission reach more people.
Community connection partnerCarePortal
Connecting caring people with children and families facing urgent needs.
Local care in motion
Rooted in Kansas City. Reaching across Kansas and Missouri.
27 distribution points help emergency backpacks move closer to children who need them. Pins show generalized placement to protect partner privacy.
27distribution points
Understand the need
Foster care is closer than many realize.
Behind every number is a child, a family, and a moment when practical care can protect dignity.
Explore foster care facts →When a child is picked up from home, that may be all the time they have to gather what they think they will need.
Children may enter care from a school, hospital, police station, or another unfamiliar setting.
passed through the U.S. foster care system in 2023.
Put your skills to work
Volunteer with CPI.
Whether you can help at an event or serve a few hours each week, your time can help more children receive a thoughtful, high-quality backpack.
Social mediaDonor relationsProcurementPacking events
See volunteer rolesShow up together
Upcoming community opportunities.
New events and volunteer opportunities are being planned.
Host the next event
The official CPI podcast
Packed With Purpose
Real stories, honest conversations, and expert insight from people who know foster care firsthand. We talk about what is working, where the gaps remain, and how ordinary people can step into meaningful action.
Stories & updates
See the mission in motion.
Podcast
Remarkably Resilient
Three sisters share how trauma shaped them differently,and how a community helped carry them forward.
In the communitySharing the heart behind CPI
Co-founder Jessica Silvey talks about the difference a thoughtfully prepared backpack can make.
Foster care storiesFrom 0 to 4 kids in 68 days
A family’s fast, overwhelming, and powerful journey into foster care,built on a repeated “yes.”
Every backpack tells a story.