Support Minnesota's Foster Care Closet

Are you looking for a way to give back as a family this holiday season? 

 Did you know that there are kids coming into the foster care system every day that need your help?

Often kids enter the system with only the clothes on their backs.  If they are able to bring belongings with them they are usually transported in a garbage bag.  This leaves social workers and foster parents scrambling to meet the basic physical needs of these children during a time when meeting their emotional needs and helping them feel safe must take priority.  Care bags are packed with clothing, toiletries, and a few toys.  For so many of these kids a care bag will hold their only earthly possessions.  It provides dignity and a glimpse of hope on a very dark day.

Most of you are familiar with the idea of an advent calendar.  Every day of December a gift is retrieved from the calendar.  We would like to challenge you to do a reverse advent calendar this year.  Instead of taking something out, every day your family can add an item to a bag for a child in need.  Many kids like choosing items for a child close in age to themselves. 

The bag can be a diaper bag for ages two and under and a backpack for ages 3-18.

What should go in the bags?  Think of what you would need if you had to leave your home with nothing.  There are also many lists and ideas online if you search for care bags for kids in foster care.  

The basics:

•  Toiletries
•  Clothes
•  Pajamas
•  Toys 

Minnesota’s Foster Care Closet will be collecting care bags at Pasquale’s.  The Foster Care Closet distributes them as the need arises – and it will quickly.  Please label your bag with the age and gender it has been packed for.

Other donations: 

All items must be brand new in box or with tags still on them please 

Want to do more?