The Donation of Providing Dignity

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 a big goal of packing 2,000 backpacks representing 2,000 stories of hope averaging 167 backpacks per month. 

In those first 48 hours, that is where these kids feel most vulnerable without a visible act of kindness for how they will see their next day. Whether it is clothing, toothbrushes/toothpaste, pillows, blankets, shampoo/bodywash we design these backpacks for immediate action in these most dire of moments. This year, we are aiming to get 75% of our 2,000 backpack goal in teen bags alone. Some items that are of the biggest need are non spiral bound notebooks, joggers, and stress toys. Comfort goes a long way for the kids these bags will serve and joggers not only provide that, but the security they will not be taken advantage of in a negative way. Notebooks are a way for foster children to process their feelings effectively and a non violent way of processing what is happening to them so they can respond in a healthy way to the challenges that lie ahead. 

According to Foster Love, a nonprofit that helps foster youth in America, says that a resource called LifeBooks can help and “represent a guided journey through the child’s life, helping to document the many moves, changes, and challenges they face as they navigate the system”. They also say that they can play a big role in the areas of self discovery, empowerment, connection and communication and therapeutic benefits. 

According to SensoryEdge, they say it is very important to know the difference in what to look for when it comes to a fidget toy. They say that “therapists recommend toys that require tactile versus visual attention” because “Stimulating the tactile system can help improve sensory processing along with related emotions and behaviors.” Research told them that in kids with behavioral and emotional problems, these tactile fidget toys help teen age kids “learn to calm themselves and control their impulses” 

For more information on other items you can give, please visit our website to see items broken down by age group. 

Thank you for helping us bring the magic of Christmas to foster care kids one backpack and story at a time. 

With love and many blessings, Care Package Inbound team 

“Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”  Matthew 25:37-40 ESV