Members of the Junior League of Flint will swap their purses for grocery bags from Oct. 18-24 to highlight the fact that when a child is removed from a home in police protective custody, (and in subsequent moves within the system) often their belongings are put in trash bags.
JLF is raising money to purchase duffel bags and essential items such as clothing, journals, and comfort items. These bags and items will be distributed to Ennis Center or Foster Closet of Michigan — Genesee County Branch in Clio. Funds will be collected through their website at JLFlint.com/TrashBag. Monetary donation in the form of cash or checks (made out to Junior League of Flint), Visit https://juniorleagueofflint.wildapricot.org/TrashBag to donate.
“Moving is stressful when you have planned it weeks in advance and have professionals carefully packing your things,” says Shannon Polk, president of JLF in a press statement. “Now, close your eyes and imagine someone handing you a black garbage bag and telling you that you have 15 minutes to gather all of your belongings.
“We believe that every foster child should be able to move between homes with the same dignity that any adult would expect. Two years ago, JLF decided to make helping children in foster care an area of focus of our community impact projects. We are extremely grateful for our supporters to help us give back to the foster community. It’s important that we come together to give these youth the important resources they need to have a childhood they deserve.”
How you can help?
- Swap your purse for a grocery sack for the week of Oct. 18-24. Be open to engaging people in conversation about your bag and how you are raising funds for area children, especially ones in foster care. JLF is committed to combating child abuse and help foster children in our community.
- Further the conversation. Post your own photos using the hashtag #FlintTrashBagHandbag. JLF members will be helping promote the campaign in traditional and social media. Like, comment, and share!
- Donate to the campaign, and help JLF get duffel bags in the hands of kids in Genesee County. These children deserve more than trash bags; the campaign strives to be a tangible way the community can uplift and empower children in crisis.
About Junior League of Flint
The Junior League of Flint is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving our community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Their purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.
