Bringing Hope One Bag at a Time

When children are removed from their homes and placed into foster care, they often arrive with nothing but the clothes on their backs—or a few belongings hastily packed into trash bags. It’s a heartbreaking and traumatic experience that leaves them feeling scared, confused, and alone.

Lisa Hoeve, founder of Hope Pkgs, saw this need firsthand as a foster parent and knew something had to change. That’s why she created Hope Pkgs, providing First Night Bags filled with new essentials like underwear, socks, pajamas, and toiletries—items that the children can call their own. These bags offer not just basic necessities, but also a sense of comfort, dignity, and hope during a challenging transition.

Since its founding, Hope Pkgs has delivered nearly 7,000 First Night Bags to foster children across Michigan. These bags make an immediate difference, helping kids feel more secure and cared for in an unfamiliar situation. For foster parents, the bags provide a valuable resource that allows them to focus on what matters most—calming and supporting the child during those critical first moments.

We need your help to continue making a difference. With roughly 220 children in foster care in Ottawa County, MI alone, and nearly 11,000 statewide (Michigan), the need is constant and growing. Your donations go directly toward creating First Night Bags, ensuring that every child who enters foster care receives the care and comfort they deserve.