Many thanks to My Bag, My Story for sponsoring this review. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
My Bag My Story – Supporting Foster Youth (+ Amazon GC Giveaway!)
My husband and I talked about fostering before we even married. And while it took us over a decade, we followed through and became licensed foster parents about 8 years ago. Even though we were only licensed for two years that time, we had over 25 youth come through our doors; ages newborn to 12 years old. As fate would have it, we relicensed this past February! Currently, we have two foster children, a 20 month old and his newborn sister.
Foster life is a roller coaster. Nothing is ever certain until the ink is dry. And you just never know what the day will hold. If fostering interests you, check out some posts I wrote a few years ago on this topic:
- How Does Foster Care Work: Things You’ll Wish You Knew Before Fostering
- Foster Care: What to expect when you’re expecting (that call)
- Tips For Foster Parents As They Await A Placement
- Books To Read If You’re Considering Fostering
- You Know You’re A Foster Parent When… {A Collection Of Hilarious Real-Life Scenarios}
Because we’re so closely tied to foster care, I was really excited when I learned about My Bag My Story. It’s shocking to see what little foster kids come into a home with — sometimes even when coming from another foster home! If you’re looking for a simple way that you can help; keep reading.
SHOP FOR A CAUSE! – Lighten the Load of Foster Care – For every My Bag My Story bag purchased, a bag is given to a child navigating the foster care system.
What Is ‘My Bag My Story’?
My Bag My Story is a heartfelt initiative that addresses a painful truth faced by many children in foster care. As they move from one temporary home to another, their possessions are often carried in a trash bag. Shocking, right!? So, for every bag purchased, My Bag My Story donates a high-quality, durable bag to a foster child. These bags are more than just practical; they are symbols of support and recognition, affirming the inherent value and worth of every child in the foster care system. Through this gesture, it not only provides something functional, but it also helps foster children feel seen and valued.
The Story Behind:
Cara Finger, Founder of My Bag My Story: “I started My Bag My Story after becoming a foster parent and watching children always having their belongings in a trash bag or grocery sack or nothing at all. Everyone kept saying this was normal. I said it doesn’t have to be normal, so I set out to have bags made for kids. Having a bag to call your own instead of a trash bag gives a child dignity and makes them feel valued. A bag seems so small but makes a huge difference in their foster care experi- ence. Making a child feel like they are worth more than trash is so important to me.”
My Bag My Story’s support for foster youth include:
- Donations: Through its donation program, every dollar donated goes towards giving a child in foster care a bag they can call their own.
- Dignity Program: My Bag My Story has partnered with over 30 Tennessee-based organizations who work directly with children in the foster care system in order to get them high-quality duffel bags and backpacks.
- Supporters: As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, My Bag My Story depends on the support of local and national corporations, including Dell, The Predators Foundation, St. George’s Episcopal Church and Target.
A Couple Shocking Foster Care Facts:
- There are over 400,000 children in the U.S. foster care system right now.
- Each year, around 20,000 young people age out of the foster care system at age 18 (or 21 in some states) without being reunited with their families or adopted, which can present significant challenges for their transition to independent living.
But don’t worry, it’s easy to help! Just:
Order A Bag Today To Help A Youth In Foster Care
Connect With My Bag My Story
Website / Facebook / Instagram
Enter To Win An Amazon Gift Card!
One lucky Emily Reviews reader will win a $10 Amazon Gift Card! Open to the Continental US only, just enter the widget below for your chance to win. ***You may only win one prize from this sponsor per month. Good luck!
Related Posts:
I’m a city girl turned country by my awesome husband and we have three busy boys and two darling daughters. I love spending time with my family, reading Karen Kingsbury novels, and catching up with friends while our kiddos have play dates. I’m blessed beyond measure and can’t wait to see what God has in store.
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This post currently has 43 responses.
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polly
I was never in the position to foster care. I have had a few friends that did and they enjoyed it but hard saying goodbye when the children were eventually placed
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Anne Perry
Sounds like a great cause. I would love to offer help if possible.
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Sherry
I don’t think I could ever be a foster parent one reason is because a lot of the kids have a lot of trauma to get over. I know people that have fostered children that have been removed from their parents and they had a hard time with them.
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Darlene Carbajal
I always thought fostering would be nice.
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Barrie
I love products that give to charities. People who foster and wonderful folks with open hearts. I’m more like to purchase from a company that supports a charity.
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I love products that give to charities. People who foster and wonderful folks with open hearts. I’m more like to purchase from a company that supports a charity.
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Lisa Vance
I think about being a foster parent frequently.
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I think about being a foster parent frequently.
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I think about being a foster parent frequently.
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brigette Oster
i dont really know much about foster care expect from what i see online or on tv.
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Stephanie Liske
I don’t know hardly anything about it. I’ve had fleeting thoughts about it, but never have I been in a position to actually do anything w/ those thoughts.
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william gossage
I never have check into being a foster parent
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Regina
We have friends that just adopted their foster child.
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Alma Fisher
I think fostering and adoption are wonderful things. I was never personally involved with it while growing up bc I had good parents but when I was at the lowest point in life along time ago I had a foster family that helped me out with my kids for a few months until I got myself straightened out and we all still remain family to this day. I will be forever grateful to them .
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Michelle Domangue
Ive always thought about it but my house is so small. We have a two bedroom house and my boys are currently sharing one room.
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Antoinette M
I don’t know anything about foster care.
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Nancy
Our book club read The Paris Wife by Paula McLain this past month. The author was in foster care from age 4 until she aged out of the California system. She wrote a memoir: Like Family: Growing Up In Other People’s Houses that many people in our book club want to read.
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Cynthia C
This could make such a positive impact on a child’s life. Kudos to those who choose to participate.
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Susan Smith
This sounds like a great cause. I’m familiar with foster care but I have never considered it.
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Thomas Gibson
I would not have the patience to raise foster children as they need constant love and patience. I admire any foster parents for what they do.
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Annmarie Weeks
I have to admit that I don’t know much about the foster care system, but I do know that these kids deserve love & dignity. This is such a good organization (and the bags looks great, too!).
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Cathy French
I was placed for adoption at one day old. I went into only one foster home before being adopted at 4 months. I don’t know much about the foster process and have sometimes thought about becoming a foster parent but I feel I’m not able to currently.
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Leslie Price
I admire foster parents a great deal, but it’s not something that would work with my life.
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Elizabeth J.
I really don’t know much about foster care and I love this initiative. What a great cause!
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heather
I had no idea that there were so many kids in the foster care program.
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TARA HAIDINGER
I am a counselor who works with children in foster care. Having a bag that just belongs to them is such a huge deal
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Natalie
I honestly don’t know much about foster care. But I am so glad there are good people out there that are willing to help these kids!
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Leela
I’ve never considered it.
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beth shepherd
I have considered it and started the classes but never followed through.
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Ann Fantom
I really don’t know much about foster care. I really respect the people who foster children
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Peggy Sue Greco
I know there is a great need for good Foster parents.
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Debbi Wellenstein
I have never considered being a foster parent-I know people who have, and it is a commitment, for sure!
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Kristie D.
I don’t really know much about foster care. I know that too many foster parents abuse the children in their care. And I agree that we must replace the trash bags. Thanks!
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Kelsey Vinson
Love this program! i spent about 6 months in foster care as a child (behavioral reasons) and my foster dad and sisters made such an impact on my life. I would love to foster once my kids are grown.
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Jennifer Tilson
I’ve never considered being a foster parent. I only know about first hand accounts from a foster parent who then petitioned for adoption of the foster child and the child is now a part of their family legally. It was a long process but worth it for them.
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Janine Hwang
I learned that 1/4 of foster kids have PTSD
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Abbey Perry
I’ve never considered being a foster parent! This program is very inspirational
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Jen R
This sounds like a great cause and so helpful for the kids. I did not know much about the foster program prior to reading this site.
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Dana
I don’t know much about foster care – although my 6th grade friend was a foster child
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stacey
I don’t know much about foster care. I did go to school with a girl who was in foster care.
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Cathy Truman
My best friend het parents were amazing foster parents. They did adopt 2 of the children
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Betty Curran
I wanted to be a foster parent but my personal circumstances wouldn’t;t have benefitted a child.
I know that there is a great need for foster parents, especially for older kids. I am impressed by my bag program.