A Lent Love Offering: Care Cases of WNY

Whoever welcomes a child in my name, welcomes me—Mark 9:37

Palm Sunday is the final day to donate a duffel bag or perhaps some items needed to stock a Care Case. Or, if you are able, you and your family may wish to complete an entire Care Case (it is estimated that it costs approximately $50 to assemble each Care Case). Monetary contributions are also greatly appreciated.

The Mission Committee invites you to a special coffee hour on Palm Sunday after the second service. It is an expression of our gratitude for all your generous contributions to the Care Case Project. Please join us for coffee, confection, and conversation.

Imagine you are a child who has to suddenly leave your home and family with only what you are wearing and a few personal items stuffed into a trash bag. Unfortunately this happens to many children entering foster care. In some instances, children are picked up at school and can’t even return home to collect personal items. There are currently more than 1,000 children in foster care in Erie County. They shouldn’t need to keep everything they own in a garbage bag.

The mission of Care Cases of WNY is to provide comfort, hope, and dignity to local children placed into foster homes by providing each child with a “Care Case.” These duffel bags and small suitcases are filled with new/unused comfort and care items that are customized for boys and girls in varying age groups. Cases are filled with personal care items, books, a comfy blanket, and other items. Each case includes a tag that states, “You matter.” Social workers distribute the cases through local foster care agencies. Collection begins today.

Each care case includes: