My Bag

Children who are placed in foster care frequently arrive with little more than the clothes on their backs. Through My Bag, CASA Partners provides these children with an age appropriate duffle bag or backpack containing everything from a toothbrush and other personal care items to clothing, and school supplies. Each bag also contains a handmade quilt or afghan, a stuffed toy and books to give the child solace. No longer are the children in Spokane County’s foster care system called the “garbage bag kids,” a term applied when personal belongings were carried in black plastic garbage bags. Even more important than providing for the basic needs for living, My Bag gives these children dignity and comfort at a very frightening and difficult time in their lives.

My School Bag, an extension of the My Bag project, provides necessities for the start of school for over 270 children each year. Identified as needing this help by social workers and public health nurses, these children are at risk of abuse and neglect, and in some cases are living with relatives with limited resources. The social workers provide sizes for each child and a monumental shopping frenzy begins. Each child receives a new backpack filled with underwear, socks, a pair of jeans/pants, a shirt, a pair of shoes, and appropriate school supplies. Each bag also contains the comforting quilt, a stuffed animal and personal toiletries. And all of these bags are delivered to the children in time for the first day of school.

Since its beginning in April of 1998, the My Bag project, including My School Bag, has provided more than 7,900 bags filled with love, dignity, and comfort for these children.