Duffels for H.O.P.E.

What We Do

Duffels for H.O.P.E. is a non-profit organization that seeks to provide proper transitional containers for the belongings of children entering the foster care system in Smith County. Donated bags will be given to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County and carried to the homes of children entering the foster care system. Each bag will be stuffed with kid friendly literature about God’s love for them. Without donated duffels, children have to resort to putting their belongings in trash bags.

Chidren's Advocacy Center of Smith County

The idea for the organization came about when Gina Jones and her husband, Brian, brought home their first foster children and could not believe that all of their belongings were in trash bags. Sadness came over her as she emptied the trash bags. In addition to a very difficult childhood and being uprooted from the only way of life they have ever known, the only possessions they had left in the world were thrown into trash bags.

Until now, all trash bags had ever held were things no one wanted or needed anymore. This made Gina wonder what kind of message was being sent to these poor children. Did seeing all of their personal belongings being thrown into a trash bag have a psychological or emotional effect on them? Did they feel like they had been thrown out with the trash too? She began to wonder, what if a bag could make a difference? That is what drove her to begin Duffels for H.O.P.E. in May of 2012. Lori Cooper joined the cause that same month when Gina asked her to design the logo. They have been an unstoppable team ever since!