Hillsborough County continues to need donations for its Duffels of Dignity program, which helps children who are in foster care or in difficult situations who often must leave where they are — without a bag to carry their belongings.
The county’s program launched in October 2022 and since then, nearly 700 duffels, backpacks and suitcases have been donated. Residents also have contributed thousands of personal care items to help Hillsborough County youth who are in need, according to a Hillsborough County news release.
Residents are asked to donate any of these items:
- New or gently used duffel bags, 24 inches to 28 inches, or a suitcase (wheelie bags, suitcases with handles and backpacks all are accepted)
- New personal care items (in original packaging): Toothbrush and toothpaste; comb and brush; shampoo and conditioner; and, deodorant
Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Hillsborough County Children’s Services Administrative Office, 3191 Clay Mangum Lane in Tampa.
The Duffels of Dignity program partners with nonprofits throughout Hillsborough County to donate items to their clients.
The Children’s Network of Hillsborough County has been a partner since the program started, and most of the items collected through the Duffels of Dignity program are given to the youth in foster care or temporarily housed at the Children’s Services campus.
Other recipients include Metropolitan Ministries, Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO) of Brandon, Mary & Martha House, and The Spring of Tampa Bay, which help women and their children escape domestic violence.
Published May 24, 2023
