The 500 Backpack Challenge is officially underway! And we already have some exciting news… 🎒 21 BACKPACKS BUILT! That means 21 kids entering foster care will receive a backpack filled with essentials, care, and a reminder that their community is thinking about them. But we're just getting started. Our goal is to build 500 backpacks by October 31, which means we have 479 to go! We need your help. You can be part of the challenge in three simple ways: GIVE. Help fund the bac

What if you could make a difference in the life of a child entering foster care? You can. And there isn't just one way to do it. At Care Package Inbound, we believe everyone has something they can contribute. That's why we're asking our community to do three simple things: GIVE. BUILD. CONNECT. And right now, we have a BIG reason to get involved. The 500 Backpack Challenge! From August 27 through October 31, our goal is to build 500 backpacks for children entering foster care

The 500 Backpack Challenge is here! 🎒 From August 27 through October 31, Care Package Inbound has one BIG goal: BUILD 500 BACKPACKS! And we need YOU to help us get there! Every backpack we build is more than just a bag filled with essentials. It is something a child can call their own during one of the most difficult and uncertain moments of their life. We believe 500 backpacks is possible, but we can't do it alone. Head over to the Care Package Inbound homepage and lo

Three sisters grew up in the same house, yet each carried a completely different experience of trauma out of it. In this episode of Packed with Purpose, Kathleen and Karen, authors of Remarkably Resilient: Community Matters, share their story, including the moment that nearly ended everything and the small-town community that quietly surrounded them and helped keep them going. This is an honest conversation about invisible trauma, foster care, resilience, and the incredible d

One of the most rewarding parts of our work is having the opportunity to share the heart behind Care Package Inbound. CPI Co-Founder Jessica Silvey recently joined the “Kickin’ It with Ken” podcast to talk about our mission and the difference a thoughtfully prepared backpack can make for a child entering foster care. We cannot eliminate the trauma of entering foster care. But together, we can change what that first moment looks and feels like. Through our 48-hour emergency ba

Human trafficking is a hidden crisis affecting millions worldwide, and its connection to the foster care system is a critical issue that often goes unnoticed. In our latest podcast episode, we explore this complex relationship, shedding light on how vulnerable youth in foster care can become targets for traffickers. This blog post dives deeper into the topic, summarizing key points from the podcast and offering insights on how communities can help protect foster youth from ex

As Kansas City prepares to host the FIFA World Cup, there’s another reality growing behind the scenes that many people are not talking about enough, the increase in human trafficking that often follows major global events. If you haven’t already noticed, you’re about to see more ads online and across social media for things like “Girls Wanted” or “Looking for Love.” Sadly, these are often tied to trafficking activity and exploitation. At Care Package Inbound, we believe every

What would you do if your life changed overnight? In this powerful episode of Packed with Purpose, we sit down with a couple whose story isn’t just inspiring, it’s stretching. Their journey into foster care didn’t follow a clean, predictable plan. It was fast. It was overwhelming. And it was built on one simple, repeated response: "Yes". Why This Story Matters More Than Ever At Care Package Inbound, this is the exact moment we exist for. Because when kids enter foster care, i

There are moments when something moves from an idea…to a conversation…to something that can truly make an impact. Today is one of those moments. We’re excited to officially launch Packed With Purpose , the Care Package Inbound podcast dedicated to sharing the real stories, real needs, and real impact happening in foster care across Kansas and Missouri . Why We Started This Podcast At Care Package Inbound, we’ve seen firsthand what happens in the first 48 hours when a child e

Co-founders Jessica Silvery and Chris Youngdale sat down with the Johnson County Post and shared their heart for Kansas City and the work they are doing with CPI. Check out the amazing article below and see how you can help make a difference. https://johnsoncountypost.com/2026/03/20/helping-hands-care-package-inbound-282163/

Care Package Inbound Newsletter February 2026 Written by Austin Fitzgerald Dignity is not just something you have to earn, but it’s something you are born with. From the oldest among us, to the most vulnerable entering into this world, we all have a part to play in making sure it is a living reality for everyone every single day. Infants expect a loving home where they can learn and develop to carry on hope for the next generation after them. According to the National Counc

We’re LIVE! 🎙️I’m beyond excited to share the launch of Packed With Purpose — the new podcast from Care Package Inbound dedicated to shedding light on foster care in Kansas & Missouri . 👉 Watch the trailer: Every year, thousands of youth enter the foster care system with uncertainty… and far too often, with nothing but a trash bag. That moment — the first 48 hours — matters more than most of us realize. On Packed with Purpose , we’ll break down what’s really happening

Care Package Inbound Newsletter January 2026 Written by Austin Fitzgerald As we enter 2026, January is a month filled with many goals and aspirations. Some are attainable, some are bold, and others require effort beyond what we see in the present moment to pull off. What are you looking to achieve in the new year? Here at Care Package Inbound, our goals and aspirations are simple, but require a village of people around us to believe in the same mission of: restoring hope and

Written by Austin Fitzgerald Every two minutes, one child will enter into the foster care system. One child going from a life of love, hope, and stability, to a place of confusion, betrayal, and sadness. No matter if they are 2 years or 12, all children have a story to share and need a safe and secure environment that values it. Here at Care Package Inbound we want to be the bridge in that gap, but need a community of supporters to help us build it. For the year 2026, we have

Written by Austin Fitzgerald Have you ever wondered what the first 48 hours feel like for a child entering foster care? Everything familiar is suddenly gone, home, friends, clothes, even their toothbrush. It’s a moment filled with uncertainty… and that’s where we get to step in. At Care Package Inbound, we believe every backpack has a story. Each one carries more than just supplies; it carries hope, dignity, and the reminder that someone cares. On September 27th , our CPI f

Care Package Inbound Newsletter October 2025 Written by Austin Fitzgerald “Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we...

This past weekend, our community came together in a powerful way for our Care Package Inbound packing event—and wow, what an impact we...

Check out this new article for our event coming up on 9/27/2025. Johnson County nonprofit gifts foster kids care packages to help...

Care Package Inbound Newsletter September 2025 Written by Austin Fitzgerald “Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did...