The Bag Project
Born from the idea to eliminate the image of a child leaving their home with personal belongings stuffed into a trash bag, The Bag Project is rooted in the passion to help children in crisis and provide them with comfort and dignity.
So, What is The Bag Project?
The Bag Project supports children and youth in crisis by providing essential items during difficult transitions, such as entering foster care or seeking refuge due to unsafe home environments.
To help alleviate some of these challenges, we assemble and distribute high-quality, age-appropriate bags filled with essentials and comfort items, ensuring each child has something familiar during uncertain times.
As part of embrella, The Bag Project leverages community partnerships, in-kind and monetary donations, and relationships with individuals like YOU to continue expanding its impact within the foster care and child welfare community.
The Bag Project is dedicated to ensuring every child facing transition or crisis receives the comfort and dignity they deserve.
What's in a Bag?
We strive to provide high quality duffel bags, backpacks, essential and comfort items, and more.
Find out what’s in each of our bags below.
Click on the headings below for a PDF list of items included in each bag.
If you would like to organize a Supply Drive, please contact us for more details!
Emergency Bags
Provided when a child faces crisis situations like removal from an unsafe home, entry into foster care, or seeking refuge in homeless or domestic violence shelters. These bags offer immediate support during highly sensitive and vulnerable moments.
Activity Bags
Used as a means of engagement when a child is waiting for services or accompanying a parent or guardian receiving services. They also serve as an icebreaker with service providers, enhancing interaction and comfort during potentially stressful situations.
Back to School Bags
Equipping students for success during their academic year with essential school supplies such as pencils, notebooks, erasers, and pencil cases.
Our Amazon Wishlist
Check out our Amazon Wish List for examples of items included in the bags. Items can also be purchased and sent to our office directly from the list.
New Organization Enrollment
If you are an Organization or Agency and would like to enroll in our bag program, please click the button below!
Please Note: We do not currently distribute bags to individuals. Please contact us to find out how we can help or reach out to an organization you’re affiliated with to see if they would like to enroll in our program.
Want to Build a Bag?
Join us in our Mission to make the transition to a safer place a little easier by providing children and youth who find themselves in unfamiliar situations with familiar items.
Make An Impact.
Support a child’s journey toward stability and comfort by donating to The Bag Project.
In-kind donations are greatly appreciated and enable us to use our modest budget on other essential items.
Your contribution supports children and teens during times of uncertainty, offering them comfort, support, and a brighter path forward.
Please note: all items must be new unless otherwise stated.
We are unable to accept the following items for donation: Food/snacks, expired products, razors, glass/mirrors, and luggage.
If you have questions about donating, or would like to donate items not listed, please contact us at lnicholls@embrella.org.
Join Our Mission and Donate Today!
“We have gotten so many positive reactions and feedback from the families and children who were fortunate enough to receive a bag. I have seen how the children can benefit from the toys and hygiene items – for some it may be the first item of that kind they are able to own and call their own.”
Maya Wahrman, Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund
“I volunteered with a group of Munich Re interns and a fellow colleague this July (2024). Volunteering with Embrella was a rewarding experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a cause
that I am passionate about.”
Megan Dionne, Munich Re
“Anchor House, dedicated to serving runaway, homeless, abused, neglected and aging out young people through trauma-informed residential and community-based programs, greatly appreciates The Bag Project’s innovative and insightful work. When I think of The Bag Project, the first word that comes to mind is impact.”
C. Walton, Anchor House
“If you think about it for a moment, the impact “The Bag Project” potentially has, at an intense and critical flash-point in a child’s life cannot be overstated. What happens to a child when they lose a parent or guardian and find themselves facing life in foster or public care is unimaginable for most of us. For those who face this as a truth though, the jarring impact may affect them for the rest of their lives. “The Bag Project” seeks to soften the devastation from facing such upheaval and providing some small comfort when fear MUST be the overriding feeling. Great kudos to those who look to help here. This is a special cause!”
TBKade
“The Bag Project is an exceptional group of people who are devoted to giving their time and energy to ensure children in foster care have the essentials needed when they leave their home. They provide sturdy duffle bags filled with necessary and age-appropriate hygiene products which the children can carry their clothes in and feel empowered when first entering into someone else’s home. The Bag Project has provided duffle bags and activity bags to many DCPP offices throughout the state. Every child who has received one has loved it and been happy to have it. Keep up the great work!!!!”
klsmith
“Today, we gave out the last of the bags and had an overwhelming response of appreciation. One female student, in particular, asked that we send a personal thank you from her to you guys, as she was so incredibly grateful for the bags and everything that was in them.”
Case Manager, PEI Kids