Packing with a Purpose Donation Drive

Do you remember creating a list for Christmas and waking up on Christmas morning running to see what’s under the tree for you?

We all have different holiday stories. Unfortunately, for some children and young adults, they are worried about having the bare necessities more than a gift under the tree.

This holiday season, the Knighten Project has created the donation campaign Packing with Purpose.

Our goal is to provide a suitcase filled with basic necessities to 25 young adults who are transitioning out of the foster care system in Tampa, FL

More than 24,000 kids age out of U.S. foster care each year. Without the support that comes from an adoptive family or permanency connection, these kids face instant homelessness. At this age, they are expected to move out and start their lives on their own. Many are still in high school and are in need of jobs, transportation, and a place to live.

Many will end up with chemical dependencies, criminal records, or pregnancies at a young age. Few will graduate college. Source

National studies have shown that within two to four years of leaving foster care at age 18:

  • 40% were homeless
  • 40% were receiving public assistance or were incarcerated
  • 40% experienced drug or alcohol abuse
  • 46% had not finished high school
  • 51% were unemployed
  • 84% became parents

We will be donating these suitcases to these young adults who are aging out before Christmas. We want to be a blessing and let them know that someone cares for them.

These young adults are just as special and deserving of gifts, blessings, and surprises and we want them to feel that way this Christmas.

We are asking for donations for suitcases and all of the items that will go inside of it. We’ve also created an Amazon Wish List page (that we are constantly updating) for you to purchase items and send them directly to us. Please contact us if you want to donate a suitcase or any of the items in person.



Please send all donations by December 16th. If you have any questions please email us at Dream@TheKnightenProject.org or comment in the section below.

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