Oklahoma foster children will receive a duffel bag or suitcase stocked with personal care items under a new law supported by state funding and donations from businesses and community groups.
Senator Chuck Hall and Representative John Kane, authors of Senate Bill 1377, hosted partners at the Capitol to highlight the effort. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services is receiving $250,000 annually to purchase bags and essential supplies.
“Over the years, my wife and I have welcomed foster children into our home, and it broke my heart every time a child arrived carrying all of their belongings in a black trash bag,” Hall said. “Foster children deserve the same dignity and respect as any other child, and that’s exactly what this new law is about.”
Walmart is donating approximately 18,000 personal care items valued at more than $35,000, including shampoo, body wash, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes.
Oklahoma Complete Health contributed hundreds of pre-stuffed duffel bags. The Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness and local FCCLA chapters donated thousands of age-appropriate books, while Braum’s provided 2,500 booklets for its reading incentive program.
“Every child deserves to enter a new home with the basic items they need and the reassurance that people care about them, especially during what is a very scary time in their lives,” Kane said.
According to the announcement, Oklahoma has approximately 5,895 children in foster care and needs 30% more foster families.
Those interested in fostering can contact the Foster Care and Adoption Support Center at 1-800-376-9729 or visit okfosters.org.
