Duffel Bag Project

04/01/2026

This is your sign.

Are you curious about foster care?

Join us at an info session to learn more about foster care with One Heart! You'll hear from current and experienced foster parents about their journeys and how One Heart can support you in your own.

April 11, 9:30 am
Parkway Baptist Church

RSVP for free here: https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/OneHeartFamilyMinistries/h4k26.html

04/01/2026

If you cannot adopt, please spread awareness.

Please help us find an adopted home for the amazing Johnnie who is always looking to improve himself and those around him.

Johnnie has a talent for repairing things. He has a helpful heart and notices when items need renovations. He thrives in the challenge of figuring something out and loves the opportunity to help when he’s able. This active teen also relishes competition and playing sports. His favorites are basketball and football, but he’s also fond of playing video games on his Nintendo Switch. Johnnie stays fueled with pepperoni pizza, Uncrustables, and Hershey’s Kisses for dessert. His favorite color is red, and he thinks cats are the best pet. Johnnie is known as thoughtful and considerate, and although he doesn’t know what he wants to be when he grows up, he hopes for a job that he enjoys where he can make a living.

This eighth grader’s favorite subject is math.

Johnnie would prefer a Christian family with pets; however, his caseworker will consider all family types. He has significant connections to maintain following placement. Financial assistance may be available for adoption-related services.

For Missouri children, both home-studied and non-home-studied Missouri families are encouraged to inquire; only home-studied families from other states should do so.

To make an official adoption inquiry, please visit https://www.raisethefuture.org/waiting-children #!/profile/371178/

If you can't adopt, we ask that you please share to help spread awareness.

02/12/2026

02/09/2026

Every 96 seconds a child enters foster care. 💔

As you tune into the Super Bowl today, here are some truths you may not know...

Right now, 328,947 kids are in foster care according to the most updated AFCARS report.

That is enough to fill the five largest NFL stadiums.

And around every 96 seconds, roughly the length of a commercial break, another child enters care. That makes around 150 kids during the game.

You might be thinking, What can I do about this?
The truth is, you don’t have to foster to make a difference (although these kids do need safe, supportive homes).

Even engaging with our content (following, liking, commenting, sharing...) helps spread awareness.

Additionally, we have many other resources on our website to help you be involved at any level!

🔗: https://americaskidsbelong.org/lp/fostering-front-door-program/

Sources:

💡 AFCARS 2024 Report

(31,536,000 seconds in a year / 328,947 children ~ 96 seconds per child)

💡Top 5 NFL stadium capacities: Official NFL & stadium websites

01/31/2026

At The Duffel Bag Project, we exist because children in care deserve to feel safe, valued, and supported — not just through a bag, but through community. 💙

One of the biggest needs in foster care is more loving, stable homes. Sharing Missouri’s foster care requirements for anyone who may feel called to learn more about fostering or adoption. Even exploring the idea can change a life.

The state of Missouri has specific requirements for any family considering foster care:

The basic requirements to become licensed in Missouri include:
-You must be at least 21 years of age
-A citizen of the U.S. or a lawful immigrant
-Free of child abuse or criminal history*
-Married or Single
-Employed or have reliable income
-With or without birth children
-Able to accommodate additional children in your home
-Willing to attend a 9-12 week training program
-Willing to participate in a home study
-Willing to provide personal, employer and medical references
-Complete a financial form
*Some offenses do not eliminate applicants

What does it cost for classes and to become licensed?
There is no fee associated with becoming licensed to foster or adopt. You may have to purchase items such as a fire extinguisher to meet licensing standards or pay for your medical exam which is necessary in order to become licensed.

STATE ASSISTANCE
You will receive monthly maintenance payments and a day care subsidy for working and schooling parents. Medicaid is available for all children in care.Children in foster care receive a clothing allowance and legal fees are paid for by the state for children adopted from foster care.

Ready to learn more?
Visit our website (link in bio!)

12/19/2025

This is why foster care matters.
Two siblings — ages 9 and 11 — need a licensed foster home right now so they can stay together during the holidays.

If you’re licensed and able to open your home, please contact Bringing Families Together.
If you’ve ever considered becoming licensed so children don’t have to face uncertainty or separation, now is the time to learn more. ❤️

Even sharing this post can make a difference.

💜PLACEMENT FOUND!💜 Thanks so much to eveyone who helped us find placement for these siblings! If you want to learn about foster care so you can help next time, fill out our interest form: www.bringingfamiliestogether.com/become-foster-parent. Thank you!

Orignal Post:

🚨 **Urgent Holiday Foster Need!** 🚨
Two amazing siblings—a 9-year-old boy and his 11-year-old sister—need a loving foster home **NOW**. They’ve been in care for just a month and are in a temporary placement. These kids share an incredible bond and deserve to spend the holidays together in a safe, caring home.

💖 **You can make this holiday unforgettable.**
📞 If you are a licensed foster home and want more information, please contact Chad at 314-283-7302. If you cannot help directly, please share this post! If you want to learn about foster care so you can help next time, call Carol Pine at 314-938-5704.

11/29/2025

A beautiful memory of random folks practicing kindness and supporting children in care. 14 years later still brings a smile to our faces remembering this day. ❤️

"Nice people rock. We took kids to an indoor playground/arcade tonight for fun. I asked the front desk if they offered any foster family discounts. The man told me if we had 10 in our group he could (two coworkers were standing next to him while I inquired.) I thanked him and said we only had three that we were fostering out of our five and bought the kids some tokens to play.

We played games, then the kids wanted to go on rides but they were $1 per child. We said they could only go on one ride. Each girl paid and I go to pay for our youngest and the man puts all their money back in my hand and told me not to worry about it. I almost cried. It was only $5, but kindness rocks.

Then we take the money saved and go to the next ride and the same thing happens. Then my husband tells me that an employee said one of the games hit the jackpot and they couldn't make the tickets stop, so the employee asks our kids if they will take the tickets for him.

Long story short my husband didn't realize I asked if they offered discounts and the two young men were running around (it seems) making sure our girls had a blast tonight. For that I want to say THANK YOU! I love people that get a kick out of kindness."

11/23/2025

Worth sharing. ❤️

11/18/2025

This type of fear breaks my heart...

11/14/2025

Another nonprofit making a difference in the lives of children in care. ❤️

11/06/2025

One of our amazing sponsors decided to bless one of the kiddos getting a duffel when she found out they loved Mickey Mouse. ❤️