Sweet Case Duffle Bags for Foster Kids And Why They Matter

When children enter foster care, they often have just a few minutes to pack up their belongings. Sadly, many are handed a trash bag to carry their things. This is where duffle bags for foster kids come in—and why our Sweet Cases program at Foster Love is so important. A colorful duffle bag filled with care items might seem small, but to a child facing uncertainty, it can mean the world. Sweet Cases send a message of dignity, comfort, and hope at a time when kids need it most.

The Trash Bag Problem

Imagine being a child pulled from your home and given a trash bag to gather your belongings. It’s heartbreaking—and far too common. This practice sends a damaging message to kids: that their things, and maybe even they themselves, are disposable. Using trash bags strips away their dignity and adds more stress to an already traumatic situation.

This is where duffle bags for foster kids make a big impact. A proper bag says, “You matter. Your story matters.” Every Sweet Case helps replace trash bags with dignity, giving children a sense of ownership and pride.

What Are Sweet Cases?

Sweet Cases are durable duffle bags filled with essentials and comfort items for children entering the foster care system. Each bag includes a stuffed animal, cozy blanket, hygiene kit, coloring book, and more. But what makes them really special is that volunteers hand-decorate each one. This makes the bags feel personalized and loved, not just another item from a warehouse.

We believe that every foster child deserves a duffle bag that reflects their value. Sweet Cases are more than just bags—they’re a fresh start, packed with care.

How You Can Help

There are two great ways to support the Sweet Cases program:

1. Decorate Sweet Cases By Yourself or with a Team

Get creative and add love to every bag. Whether you’re part of a school, corporate team, church group, or just a few friends, this is a meaningful, hands-on way to give back. Volunteers decorate duffle bags for foster kids with uplifting messages, drawings, and bright colors that make the children smile.

2. Donate to Support the Program

Your donation helps us buy the duffle bags and the items that go inside them. Every dollar goes directly toward making sure foster kids don’t have to carry their lives in trash bags. It’s a small act that makes a lifelong impact.

3. Volunteer to Decorate a Bag

Can’t afford to donate right now? No problem! There’s always bags in need of decorating! We host volunteer events at our HQ in California where you can donate your time instead.

CHECK OUT UPCOMING VOLUNTEER EVENTS IN YOUR AREA

Sweet Stories from Recipients

“My kids still have theirs from years ago! They still use them when we go on vacation to take their extra clothing that doesn’t fit in a suitcase or for sleepovers with their friends. They’ve replaced the velcro panel part with designs of their own and they’ve taken them wherever they go. Safe to say, they’re keepers”
— Jordan, adoptive parent

“We happily received the much-needed duffel bags on Monday. When we delivered the duffle bags, the kids’ faces lit up. These are a delight and a blessing. ”
— Marie, social worker

“My team decorated Sweet Cases for a volunteer day, and we were so moved by the mission. Knowing a child would use the bag we made brought us to tears.”
— Dave, volunteer

One story particularly moved us from one case worker in Illinois:

“I had to move a teen boy and his preteen sister this week due to safety concerns in their placement. They spent a couple hours in the office while we waited for the new placement to get home from work. The girl was struggling so much. Tears. Anger. All the feels. I went to go collect some necessities for them from our supply closet…we weren’t able to get their things until later, and I found all of the [Foster Love] teddy bears amongst the hygiene supplies. I took one to the girl, and her face brightened. She held it for a few minutes, and then felt ok enough to get up and place some while waiting. When we left she placed it in her backpack and said, “Can’t forget him! He’s safe in here with me!” Thank you for all you do. Your teddy helped one of my kiddos on what she declared earlier in the day as ‘the worst day of her life.”

Join the Movement

You can be part of the solution. Whether you’re volunteering or giving, you are making sure that kids in foster care feel seen and supported. Help us deliver more duffle bags for foster kids, and together, let’s say goodbye to trash bags—one Sweet Case at a time.