About – Day1Bags

About Us

Our mission at Day 1 Bags is to provide brand new duffle bags and backpacks to foster youth instead of trash bags as luggage when being removed from their homes or moved from shelter to shelter.

Our History

2016

Hunter Beaton creates an Eagle Scout project designed to provide 100 bags filled with supplies for foster children in Kendall County.

2018

The Day 1 Bags is making connections all across Texas and numerous states to ensure foster youth are given proper luggage.

2020

Day 1 Bags becomes an 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization!

2022

Day 1 Bags has given out over 100,000 bags to foster youth all across the United States!

2024

Day 1 Bags has given out over 200,000 bags to foster youth across 47 states!

TESTIMONIAL

#1 in the Nation, Backed by 600+ Independent Reviews

Growing up in foster care, I believed I will never be enough and I want to be invisible. I learned about your organization, looked it up, and thought this guy is young and gets it. Why is he doing this work? After following your group for quite some time, I realized the effect you all are having on others is so valuable and others need to know how we ALL need to feel connected and loved, not like trash. If I had a million dollars, I would give it to your organization. Four years ago, I received a Day 1 bag duffel , a gift card and a quilt and it made me feel “normal”, not invisible… it still looks brand new. All I can donate is $20 right now but I want someone to feel what I feel now.. I am enough and no longer invisible.

– A Happy Former Foster Youth Served and Donor!

Our non-profit put out a "we need" call for bags for kids in the foster care system and Day One bags quickly sent us 75 handmade drawstring bags. The colors and patterns and time and effort that went into making these is so appreciated. There's something for every kid to enjoy and will help give dignity to kids in the foster care system. Thank you, Day One bags!

– Melanie Drown

Hunter, Paula, and the team at Day 1 Bags have been incredible partners to the Spark program over the last few years. Over the years, they’ve consistently demonstrated genuine care for our students by always stepping up with compassion, creativity, and a heart. Whether it’s providing resources and necessary supplies, making connections to access needed resources, or, most recently, helping us establish emergency funds for those students with lived experience in foster care who face unexpected challenges, their kindness and dedication shine through in everything they do. They are truly the kind of people who make a lasting difference. The people whose hearts are all in and don’t just talk about helping, but show up to do it. Our students feel seen, supported, and valued because of their generosity, and we are deeply grateful for all they’ve done to help young people from foster care thrive in college and beyond.

– shannonmb

I was given the opportunity to spend the time with day 1 bags creating gifts for other graduates in the foster system. We got to hear what their foundation was all about and it was a great experience. Truly inspiring.

– williamtolar

We have been receiving drawstring bags for some time now and these bags are coming in handy for the caseworkers in our different offices. The children we serve really enjoy them as well. The fabric used for the bags brings joy in a trying time for them.

– cvega582

Day 1 Bags has blessed our community with bags for the youth so generously. They have impacted so many lives! I was so happy to be a volunteer in this situation.

– keleighbee

The drawstring bags are beautiful and large enough to carry necessary supplies for the children we serve. As a volunteer, I was in charge of placing items in the drawstring bags. Items placed in the drawstring bags included 2 books, small blanket, small bottles of shampoo, small bottles of conditioner, soap, and other items based on gender needs. The beautiful drawstring bags have awesome designs and are very colorful; they are something that I would purchase for a young relative of mine.

– YZuniga

The joy that Day 1 Bags and their Beyond the Bag program brings to the lives of foster children is purely magical. To see the eyes of those littles light up as they get to “adopt” their very own “child” is just precious. I enjoy supporting this ministry wholeheartedly!!!

– SueStringer

I was privileged to be able to create and donate 1-2 quilts for the graduating seniors in Foster Care for the past 3 years. This organization has been exceptional at responding to the needs of the youth in foster care and has responded by reaching the appropriate volunteers and donors to supply the need. I have been very impressed with the responsiveness, organization and initiative of this organization to meet the needs of the youth.

– Ilhardin777

For the past year and a half, I have been with BRSC, and I have enjoyed getting to know the kids and staff. I helped the kids learn how to handle conflict. From affirming that it is okay to cry, to talk things out, or to remove themselves from the conflict, etc. This can be very helpful for these kids to learn how resolve conflict to walk through tough situations without harm themselves or those arounds them. Teaching them life skills, such as cooking or time management. I have also joined to together with the ranch staff to make a thanksgiving dinner together, to celebrate their birthdays making them feel special. Overall, providing a safe, loving, and life-enhancing Christian environment for children and young adults.

– roxana.perez