The community-driven effort helps ensure children entering foster care have essential supplies during difficult transitions
A simple duffel bag can make a difficult transition feel a little less overwhelming for a child entering foster care or emergency shelter. Thanks to the efforts of a local company, more Hillsborough County children will receive essential supplies during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. And it comes as May marks National Foster Care Awareness Month.
Employees at Tampa Electric (TECO) raised nearly $1,800 to support Hillsborough County Children's Services' Duffels of Dignity program. The funds were then matched by TECO and used to donate nearly $3,600 worth of essential items for children. Among the donated items are duffel bags, blankets, socks, hygiene products, and other comfort items that will be distributed to children in foster care, emergency placements, and for at-risk youth.
Anthony Faison, an operations manager at TECO, says a special effort went into this year's fundraising to help local children.
"We feel this is important because this transition time for kids is probably the hardest times of their lives," said Faison. "To have their own personal items will hopefully make that transition a little easier."
Duffels of Dignity
Hillsborough County Children's Services assists many local children who are in traumatic situations, facing homelessness, or in need of emergency shelter. Some children do not have a bag to store their belongings and are forced to use garbage bags to carry personal items. Foster care youth in Hillsborough County face similar needs. The Duffels of Dignity program aims to help these children and provide comfort and dignity through personal items. County officials say these possessions help kids feel more comfortable, while also providing a sense of belonging.
In Hillsborough County there are over 2,000 kids relying on foster care services. Key partnerships between Hillsborough County Children's Services and a number of organizations and nonprofits look to ensure that enough support is available for these children.
Janet Rinaldi, the Executive Director of West Florida Foster Care Services, leads one of the many organizations that benefit from the Duffels of Dignity program. Rinaldi says not only does the initiative help at-risk youth, but it also helps foster parents.
"The Tampa Bay area leads the state for the number of children in foster care," said Rinaldi. "We need safe homes for these kids. When families know that they will be provided these items for the kids, it helps fostering become a bit easier."
Rinaldi says working with Hillsborough County helps the nonprofit serve families across the region.
"Partnerships with Hillsborough County enable us to take these donations and put them directly into the hands of families who need it the most."
Get involved
To help these children, Hillsborough County Children's Services accepts new or gently used suitcases or duffel bags through its Duffels of Dignity program. Learn more about how to donate and the donations accepted through the initiative. Duffels of Dignity also has an Amazon Wish List, where items can be purchased and will be mailed directly to the Children's Services campus.