The
BROWN BAG
CAMPAIGN
Starting in July, 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.
Every year, Child & Family Services helps hundreds of children heal from trauma through foster care and other critical programs. Too often, children arrive with just a few personal belongings—carried in a single bag.
The Brown Bag Campaign is a powerful reminder of the difficult circumstances many of these children face, and the ongoing need for foster and adoptive families who can provide safety, stability, and love.
At CFS, we believe every child deserves to be safe, happy, and loved. We also believe they deserve more than the basics. That’s why the Brown Bag Campaign helps provide clothing, school supplies, transportation, and life-enriching opportunities like music lessons, sports, and summer camp.
Since its inception in 1989, the Campaign has raised over $656,000 to meet these needs—and has helped connect countless children with foster and adoptive families who change lives.
Thank you for standing with us 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
2024
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TC Record Eagle
Brown Bag Campaign Raises awareness of Foster Parent Need -
Elk Rapids News
Looking Back: Insights from a Former Foster Youth -
Kalkaska News
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Leelanau Enterprise
35th annual Brown Bag campaign begins -
Antrim Review
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Cadillac News
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Benzie Record Patriot
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Manistee News
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.