hope in action
358
Hope Bags Served in 2025
moments of comfort placed directly into a child’s hands.
120+
Volunteers
making immediate care possible.
LocAL
Local Reach
Baldwin County today. Neighboring counties next.
age 10
“When I was removed, my parents put a few stuffed animals into a trash bag for me and handed them to me in the back of the lady’s car. I knew I wasn't important; the stuffed animals were from court, but now I felt like trash, too. When I got to her office, she handed me two bags. They both were real nice. Inside were so many clothes, new shoes, socks, deodorant, body wash, a blanket, and a new stuffed, very fuzzy bear; it all felt so warm. I changed myself into the clothes, put on the new socks and shoes, then wrapped the blanket around me while squeezing the softest stuffed bear so tight, it was the first time in forever, I didn’t feel like trash!"
age 12
“I came into care after a really bad night. I was dirty, scared, and shaking. I didn’t want anyone to look at me. The Hope Bag had clean clothes, shower products, deodorant, socks, underwear, and the softest blanket. Once I was able to take a shower and use all my new products, I was able to let myself breathe, let go, cry, and process everything. I then put on all my new clothes and looked in the mirror to see someone who was going to be okay."
Foster Parent
“Our foster daughter told us later that the Hope Bag made her feel like someone cared about her before she even walked through our door. That kind of reassurance is priceless.”
AGE 14
“I didn’t cry when they removed me. I didn’t cry in the car. I didn’t cry when they told me I couldn’t go back home. I just shut down. When I got to the foster home, they handed me the Hope Bags. I unzipped it, and the smell of clean clothes and shampoo hit me. I don’t know why, but that smell so simple and clean made me cry for the first time in a long time. Those hope bags didn’t fix everything. But it was the feel of the hope bags like I was going to be alright.”
Age 8
“I was always cold living outside. I didn’t want to say anything because I didn’t want to be a problem. When I was taken and opened the two bags for me, I saw the fuzzy warm blanket, coat, shoes, and socks first. I put them all on and started to cry because I didn’t have to pretend I wasn’t cold anymore.”
Age 6
“I didn’t know where I was going and was very scared. I cried as the worker took me. Then she gave me bags, and I saw the crayons, coloring book, big bear, and unicorn blanket. It made me feel a little less scared and helped me stop crying."
Social Worker
“As a social worker, I’ve seen countless children enter care with nothing but fear and the clothes on their backs. When I hand them a Hope Bag, their shoulders drop. Their breathing slows. It changes the tone of the entire transition. It gives them dignity in a moment that feels out of control.”
Age 9
“When I saw the Hope Bag, I knew someone had made it for kids like me. That made me know I wasn’t the only one this happens to. It made me feel less alone."
Age 15
“I left home with nothing. Not even shoes. I felt so embarrassed and angry. But the Hope Bag had everything I needed, even new shoes. It helped me feel like I could start over without feeling so ashamed.”
Age 14
“I didn’t want anyone to know how nervous I was. But when I opened the Hope Bag and saw everything for me. It made me feel like I could handle what was happening. Like someone believed I could be brave.”
A Day Our Community Showed Up
Bags & Bingo was loud, joyful, and full of purpose, and we’re still smiling about it.
With 100+ people in the room, our community came together to rally around foster children in a way that felt genuinely powerful. Between the laughter, the bingo wins, the purses, and the giving… the best part was knowing every moment helped fuel real support for kids who deserve comfort, dignity, and the reminder that they’re not alone.
To everyone who attended, volunteered, donated, shared, and cheered us on,
thank you for showing up and helping us bring hope home.
Join our Foster Connection and stay informed about our upcoming events!
Thank You, Bags & Bingo Sponsors + Partners
Because of your generosity (and this community’s big hearts), Bags & Bingo turned into something so much bigger than an event, it became real help for foster kids right here in Baldwin County.
Your support helps us turn a fun day into Hope Bags filled with essentials and comfort for children entering foster care. This event’s impact means we can provide roughly 40–50 Hope Bags for kids who need them most, the kind of support that shows up immediately when everything else feels uncertain.
From the bottom of our hearts: thank you for making it happen.
Friends of the Mission
Tommy VanPelt - Homesouth Inspections
Lisa Walker - McMichael & Gray, PC
Patrick Daily - RE/MAX Orange Beach
Fabulous Purses Donated By
David & Haley Harmon - JHA, CPA
Four Bags - Fairhope
Lionel Epp
Lucca @ The Wharf
Seaside Shoes & Swim @ The Wharf
Brian Lynch - Cornerstone First Mortgage
Alvita Simmons - Coach @ Tanger
Norma Lynch - RE/MAX Orange Beach
Kathy Lindsey
Linda Abston-Fish
Decorated Cookies Donated By
Kari - Cookies by Design
Stephanie - Wonderfully Made by Stephanie
Brenda - Specialty Bakery
Deep South Cake Company
Shelby’s Sweet Treats
Feral & Flour
Dreamy Sweet Treats
BuzzCatz Coffee & Sweets
When a child enters foster care, it often happens suddenly, without time to pack a bag or bring anything familiar. Hope Bags ensure no child enters care empty-handed. Each bag is filled with comfort items, essential hygiene products, age-appropriate clothing, and a few personal touches that help a child feel seen, safe, and cared for.
What’s Inside a Hope Bag
Hygiene essentials
Cozy blanket or stuffed animal
Age-appropriate books or comfort items
Pajamas or basic clothing
Dental care items
Personal care supplies
A bag they can keep as their own
The Hope Bag Program
Meeting Children With Dignity in Their First Moments of Care
The Need in Our Community
Children are entering foster care every day, often with nothing but the clothes they’re wearing.
Every year in Baldwin County, children enter foster care with little more than the clothes on their backs. Many arrive in the middle of the night, frightened and disoriented, stepping into a system that is already stretched thin.
The challenges facing children in foster care do not begin, or end, on their first night. Foster youth often experience placement changes, disrupted education, emotional trauma, and long-term instability as they move through the system. These realities are well-documented and contribute to the outcomes seen among former foster youth later in life.
When instability persists, trauma compounds.
Making it harder for children to build safety, trust, and stability over time.
When a child’s most basic physiological and safety needs are not consistently met, it becomes significantly harder to reach higher levels of stability, including emotional health, education, and long-term independence.
of the homeless population have been in foster care
are more likely to
commit violent crimes
will abuse and neglect
their own children
more likely to abuse
alcohol and develop a drug addiction
more likely
to attempt suicide
will drop out
of high school
will be unemployed
are more likely to
experience teen
pregnancy
These outcomes reflect challenges commonly faced by foster youth, not because of one night, but because unmet needs compound over time.
We start at the foundation
because nothing else can stand without it.
Learn how we’re meeting immediate needs now while building toward deeper, long-term support.
Grants That Make Our Work Possible
We are deeply grateful to the foundations and grant partners who have chosen to invest in Foster Kids Matter and the children we serve.
Community Builder Partners
Organizations who have invested significantly in strengthening support for foster youth in Baldwin County.
Explore Partnership Opportunities
Interested in partnering with Foster Kids Matter?