GIVE

NO CHILD

DESERVES

TRASH BAGS

NEGLECT IN AMERICA'S FOSTER SYSTEM

Each year, more than 320,000 children entering, exiting, or moving within U.S. foster care endure constant upheaval, often relocating multiple times with nothing more than a trash bag to carry their belongings. This “solution of convenience” sends a heartbreaking message: that their possessions, and too often their lives, are seen as disposable.

THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE BY STATE

No reliable data exists on how many foster children continue to carry their belongings in trash bags, yet the consensus is clear: the number is unacceptably high. This crisis won’t end with individual fixes. It requires systemic change.

Number of children in foster care:

0

10,000

20,000

43,000+

Source: Christian Alliance for Orphans (2023)

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PACKED WITH DIGNITY?
HOW FOSTER CARE LUGGAGE LAWS HAVE (AND HAVEN’T) CHANGED 1950-2025

Four states have laws to advance dignity for children in foster care. Forty-six states do not.

TIMELINE

1950s

Trash bags, cardboard boxes, and even knotted sheets become the default "luggage" for children entering foster care.

1960s

With little understanding of child development and minimal funding, makeshift containers remain common as children move frequently between homes.

1970s

Black trash bags become standard issue.
Former foster parent Paula Hilsmeier recalls, "These young people really do travel around with trash bags full of clothes and other belongings."

1990s

Grassroots groups, churches, and community volunteers begin replacing trash bags with donated suitcases and duffels.

2009

Nonprofits begin change by starting locally, then expand nationally to replace trash bags with real luggage for children in foster care.

Source: Capitol News Illinois, Capitol Texas, Maryland General Assembly, OPB, OCFS, Day 1 Bags.

THE SCALE OF NEED

IF THIS SHARE OF CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE ARE GIVEN TRASH BAGS...

25%

NUMBER OF CHILDREN AFFECTED

80,000

CHILDREN

REAL-WORLD COMPARISON:

Enough to fill every seat in a large NFL stadium.

50%

160,000

CHILDREN

Enough to fill two of America's largest stadiums, seat for seat.

75%

240,000

CHILDREN

Enough to fill two of America's largest stadiums, seat for seat.

100%

320,000

CHILDREN

Every seat in more than five massive stadiums filled with children holding trash bags.

Source: Day 1 Bags (2025). | *Assuming an average of 2 moves and 1 trash bag per child. Based on the average NFL stadiumcapacity of 70,000 spectators.

Even with tireless work, the cycle continues. Children in foster care continue to bear a burden that should never have been theirs.

Together, We Can End This Practice.

Would You Let Someone You Love Pack Their Life in a Trash Bag?

Share Kindly, Review Our Graphic & Data Usage Policy
.

Graphic & Data Usage Policy

At Day 1 Bags, we create original data visualizations, maps, and advocacy tools to advance dignity standards for children in foster care nationwide.

We encourage responsible sharing to expand awareness and support policy change.

Free Advocacy & Educational Use

Our graphics may be shared at no cost for:

  • Educational presentations
  • Legislative briefings
  • Nonprofit and community advocacy
  • Faith-based or civic group discussions
  • Academic use
  • Media reporting

Requirements:

  • Attribution must be clearly visible:
    Source: Day 1 Bags National Dignity Index, [2026].
  • Day 1 Bags branding and citations may not be removed.
  • Graphics may not be altered in a way that changes their meaning or data.
  • Data sources must remain intact.

Prohibited Uses Without Written Permission

The following uses require prior written approval:

  • Commercial resale or paid distribution
  • Corporate marketing materials
  • White-labeling or rebranding
  • Political campaign advertising
  • Removal of logos or data citations
  • Modification of data or partial extraction that misrepresents findings

Commercial & Corporate Licensing

Organizations seeking to use Day 1 Bags graphics in:

  • Corporate publications
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  • Marketing or advertising

Must request a commercial license. Please contact: dignitynottrash@gmail.com

Day 1 Bags reserves the right to review and approve all commercial use requests.

Data Sources

Data reflected in the National Dignity Index and related graphics is drawn from:

  • Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS)
  • U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
  • Kids Count Data Center (Annie E. Casey Foundation)

Our Mission

No child should carry their life in a trash bag.

If sharing this graphic helps move a state closer to a dignity standard, we encourage you to do so — responsibly and with attribution.



No Child in [State Name] Should Carry Their Life in a Trash Bag

[Kids] / "Children in foster care"

[Entering] / "Children entering care"

[Cost] / "Annual cost to fix"

.
Dear [Legislator Name],

Right now, … children are living in foster care in ….
Each year, approximately … children enter care.

No child should carry their life in a trash bag.

Providing proper luggage at $24 per child would require an estimated $… annually statewide.

This is a small investment to protect dignity during one of the hardest days of a child’s life.

I respectfully ask you to support legislation or agency policy ensuring no child entering foster care is given a trash bag for their belongings.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[City, State]

CC: dignitynottrash@gmail.com
Dear [Pastor/Leader Name],

In …, approximately … children enter foster care each year.
During removal, some are still given trash bags to carry their belongings.

Would our community consider supporting a dignity initiative to ensure every child receives proper luggage?

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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