Every Child Deserves a Bag of Their Own

Bags For Buddies provides new duffel bags filled with comfort and essentials to children entering foster care, replacing trash bags with dignity, hope, and a reminder that they matter.

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A SEASON OF GIVING

Stockings For Buddies

Small Gifts. Big Smiles.

This holiday season, Bags For Buddies is bringing communities together to make the season brighter for children and teens in foster care.

Through Stockings For Buddies, we're working toward providing 1,000 holiday stockings filled with toys, books, personal-care items, and age-appropriate gifts for children ages 3–17. With support from individuals, businesses, schools, and volunteers, we can help more children experience the joy of being remembered.

OUR HOLIDAY GOAL 1,000 STOCKINGS

0 of 1,000 stockings collected

SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN GET INVOLVED

INTRODUCING THE NATIONAL CHAPTER NETWORK

One Mission. Every Community.

The next chapter of Bags For Buddies starts with you.

We're taking our mission nationwide, inviting students, community leaders, and dedicated volunteers across the United States to help bring dignity, compassion, and meaningful support to children and teens in foster care.

APPLY TO START A CHAPTER

OUR NATIONWIDE VISION Local Leadership. National Impact.

An illustration of our vision for nationwide expansion. Map points do not represent approved chapters or existing chapter locations.

TWO WAYS TO LEAD

Find Your Place in the Mission.

Campus Chapters

Bring Bags For Buddies to your college or university. Build a student leadership team, engage campus organizations, and lead approved donation drives, volunteer activities, and community partnerships.

LEAD ON YOUR CAMPUS

Community Chapters

Bring neighbors, businesses, schools, and volunteers together. Build a local leadership team and organize approved projects that support children and teens in foster care in your community.

LEAD IN YOUR COMMUNITY

MAKE A DIFFERENCE LOCALLY

Small Actions. Nationwide Possibilities.

01

Bag & Supply Drives

Collect bags, backpacks, school supplies, and essentials for children in foster care.

02

Stockings For Buddies

Support our holiday initiative through approved collections, volunteer activities, and local partnerships.

03

Community Partnerships

Work with businesses, schools, and organizations to expand awareness and support.

04

Volunteer Leadership

Recruit volunteers, coordinate approved events, and inspire meaningful community service.

FOUNDING CHAPTER OPPORTUNITY

Be Part of Where It All Begins.

We're accepting applications for consideration as part of our inaugural group of 10 founding chapters. Whether you're a college student ready to lead or a community organizer ready to make a difference, you could help shape the future of Bags For Buddies.

BECOME A FOUNDING CHAPTER APPLICANT

HOW IT WORKS

Five Steps. One Mission.

01

Apply

Submit your chapter application.

02

Review

Our team reviews your proposal.

03

Connect

Selected applicants interview with us.

04

Prepare

Complete onboarding and requirements.

05

Launch

Begin your first approved initiative.

Your Community Could Be Next.

Every chapter begins with someone willing to lead. Help us build a national network of volunteers working toward a future where children and teens in foster care feel supported and valued.

APPLY TO START A CHAPTER

Applications are subject to review and approval. Submitting an application does not authorize operation as an official chapter or use of the Bags For Buddies name.

Our Impact

Every number represents a child, volunteer, and community member helping us bring dignity and hope to foster youth.

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Bags Delivered

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Children Served

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Volunteers Mobilized

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Counties Reached

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Scholarships Awarded

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Years Serving Foster Youth

The Need Is Bigger Than A Bag

350,000+

Children experience foster care in the United States every year.

  
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Every State Is Affected

Children enter foster care in all 50 states.

This isn't a problem confined to one city or one community—it affects children across the entire country.

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More Than 20,000 Age Out Every Year

Every year, over 20,000 young adults leave foster care without being reunited with their families or adopted.

Many begin adulthood without the support system, stability, or resources that countless others take for granted.

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More Than A Bag

For many children entering foster care, their belongings are placed in a trash bag.

At Bags For Buddies, we believe every child deserves something better—a bag they can call their own, filled with dignity, comfort, and hope.

How We Make an Impact

Buddie Bag Program

From providing duffel bags to supporting education and bringing communities together, every program is designed to give foster children and teens hope and opportunity.

The Next Chapter Scholarship Program

Providing new duffel bags filled with essentials for children entering foster care.

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Helping students pursue college, trade school, or career training.

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Community Partnerships & Events

Working with schools, businesses, sports teams, and volunteers to expand our impact.

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From A Good Idea To A National Conversation

Bags For Buddies has been featured on Good Morning America and in media outlets across the country, helping shine a light on the children behind the mission.

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