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BROWN BAG CAMPAIGN

35th Annual 

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

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Thank you to
our sponsors!

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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 $630,000 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

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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

  • 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  

  • Leelanau Enterprise
    35th annual Brown Bag campaign begins

  • Antrim Review 

  • Cadillac News

  • Benzie Record Patriot 

  • Manistee News 

2023

2022

  • TC Record  Eagle  Brown bag Campaign begins. Amanda Craggs, a local business owner and foster mom grew into her mothering role during the pandemic. 

  • 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. 

  • Cadillac News  Mesick Couple has fostered hundreds of kids and adopted 13!

  • TC Record Eagle Emma Smith: Making a Difference in the Life of a Child.

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