An initiative to provide essential items to children in foster care when they need it the most. Our goal is to create a sense of comfort and security for children who are entering foster care.
Treasure Valley Foster Parents can text us at 208.204.0230 the age, gender, and any other special notes about the child coming into their care, and our team will then deliver a bag of essentials!
Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with games and treats from Dee’s Ice Cream Trolley, along with meaningful ways to support foster families in our community. New donations are encouraged.
Every gift creates a chain reaction, helping foster families feel supported and celebrated by our community.
Looking to help out?
Here are a few items that would be especially helpful:
Don’t want to shop in person?
We are so thankful for any amount of items you are able to donate to The Essentials Project! The following shopping lists includes our top 20 most requested comfort items for teens ages 13-17:
Our goal is to provide every child who enters foster care with a bag of essential items, like clothes, pajamas, toiletries, undergarments, and more.
These items can make all the difference in a child’s life during this difficult time. But we need your support to make this project a success. You can donate items, contribute funds, or spread the word to your friends and family.
Together, let’s make a difference in the lives of children in foster care!
Request Process: Foster Parents in the Treasure Valley can request essential bags by texting the age, gender, and any special notes about the child to 208.204.0230. Our team will promptly organize and deliver the bag as quickly as possible. For families residing within a 30-mile radius of Boise, our team will facilitate a direct delivery. Families located beyond this radius can schedule a convenient pick-up from our location in Garden City, ID or meet at a halfway point.
Contents of Essential Bags: The essential bags include but are not limited to clothes, pajamas, toiletries, undergarments, comfort items and other necessities. These items are curated to address the immediate needs of the child entering foster care, ensuring a smoother transition.
Volunteer Involvement: Our dedicated team of volunteers actively participates in organizing new donations and ensuring the timely delivery of essential bags. Volunteers play a vital role in the success of The Essentials Project, contributing to our mission of providing comfort for children in their initial stages of foster care.
Donations: The Essentials Project accepts new items meeting the highest standards of quality and cleanliness to fulfill the essential bags. Please reach out to Taylor@fosterandheart.org if you’d like to schedule a donation drop off!
Distribution Radius: Our primary distribution radius for direct delivery is within 30 miles of Boise. Families residing beyond this distance are requested to coordinate pick-ups from our location in Garden City, ID. This ensures efficient and equitable distribution of essential bags.
Community-Driven: The Essentials Project is driven by the collective commitment of our community to support children entering foster care. Because this initiative is completely community-driven, we sometimes run low on certain sizes or items which means some bags take a few more hours to deliver than others.
