34th year!
Starting in August, you will see small brown paper bags in your local newspaper, and at your local Olesons and Oryana stores. Please consider making a donation. It's simple to fill out and mail in, or you can make a donation here! Your donation will help make life a little easier for the children we serve in foster care.
"The Brown Bag Campaign represents the fact that children often come into foster care very quickly and suddenly, with their personal items stuffed into brown paper or plastic bags. It’s also a reminder that we need people who have the room in their hearts and homes to become foster and adoptive parents. We are grateful to everyone who has helped make this effort so successful."
-Gina Aranki,
Executive Director
Help us help children
Thank you to
our sponsors!
You can pick up a bag/envelope at Olesons stores in Traverse City, Petoskey, and Charlevoix, and at Oryana West in Traverse City.
Child & Family Services helps hundreds of children heal from trauma each year through foster care and other valuable programs. Many arrive on our doorsteps with few of their own belongings – often shoved into a brown paper or plastic bag.
The Brown Bag Campaign reminds us of the plight of children entering the foster care system — and of the constant need for foster and adoptive parents to help care for them. These children deserve better.
At CFS, we believe every child deserves to be safe, happy, and loved. We also believe that the children we serve should have clothing, school supplies, transportation, and opportunities such as music, dance lessons, sports equipment, or summer camp. The Campaign has raised more than $550,000 for these needs since inception, and has helped recruit many foster and adoptive families.
Thank you for your support of our work to nurture children and strengthen families.
Look for the BROWN bag
or donate here!
OUR PARTNERS
Look for us in your favorite Oleson's grocery or Oryana food co-ops!
Look for CFS stories in newspapers and on our Blog!
campaign and stories
2023
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TC Record Eagle Longtime foster parents Dave & Nikki Hurst
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Elk Rapids News Humble Beginnings a foster child's story of struggle and triumph.
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Kalkaska News Humble Beginnings a foster child's story of struggle and triumph.
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Leelanau Review Humble Beginnings a foster child's story of struggle and triumph.
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Antrim Review Humble Beginnings a foster child's story of struggle and triumph.
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Cadillac News A Lifetime of Fostering Love, one families unending support of children in foster care.
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Benzie Record Patriot A Lifetime of Fostering Love, one families unending support of children in foster care.
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Manistee News A Lifetime of Fostering Love, one families unending support of children in foster care.
2022
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TC Record Eagle Brown bag Campaign begins. Amanda Craggs, a local business owner and foster mom grew into her mothering role during the pandemic.
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Elk Rapids News A fostering hero: Frances Olson has been licensed to provide foster care since 1972 and has loved and cared for over 50 children.
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Cadillac News Mesick Couple has fostered hundreds of kids and adopted 13!
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TC Record Eagle Emma Smith: Making a Difference in the Life of a Child.
2021
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TC Record Eagle Brown bag or suitcase campaign focuses on what kids carry.
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Cadillac News Career woman foster care provider adopts two children
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Leelanau Enterprise Bags Represent Hope
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Manistee News Advocate Campaign aims to help heal traumatized children
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Benzie Record Patriot For Lake Ann Couple, fostering children is second nature