Children of Hope: Backpacks for Foster Kids January Mission of the Month Project

For children, being removed from their homes to be placed in foster care is a traumatic experience. We are excited to assist Children of Hope in partnership with Polk County Human Services to help ease their pain. We hope to eliminate one small thing that makes the move even more upsetting: the use of large black garbage bags to transport their belongings. With a backpack, children can travel from their home to foster care, to school and other activities, and for overnight visits home. With a backpack, children can travel with dignity and have something to call their own.

How Can you Help? New backpacks will be collected during the month of January - these will be given to local children entering foster care. While the backpacks alone are a blessing to the children, additional items can be helpful in their transition.

Children's Ministry will collect items for the backpacks according to age:
3-year olds: coloring books and crayons
4-year olds: toddler toothbrush and toothpaste
Kindergarten: baby wipes
1st grade: baby wipes
2nd grade: baby shampoo or wash
3rd grade: comb or brush
4th/5th grade: diapers (size 2, 3 or 4)

Where do we place our donations? All items listed above can be placed in the brightly colored Children's Ministry collection boxes at the main entrances until Feb. 1. If you have questions, please contact Missions.

Thank you for making a child’s load a little easier to carry during their journey through foster care.