When families arrive at the Families Forward Emergency Shelter, parents and children are carrying all of their possessions in trash bags. The same is true when they pack up and leave the shelter for more permanent housing.

Let that visual sink in… trash bags carrying cherished, personal belongings. Yes, the same trash bags you use to literally take out your garbage and trash every week. No one’s personal belongings should be felt or represented as trash or disposable.

Together, let’s change this picture…

The Center of Peace community, please help us change this picture. Beginning Sunday, September 6, and every Sunday in the month of September, The Center of Peace will begin collecting luggage for families living at Families Forward Philadelphia. Please donate new and slightly used pieces of luggage and duffel bags so we can demonstrate the love and oneness to families in their time of need and beyond.

In addition, we ask that you enclose a LOVE note of encouragement in each piece of luggage that you donate. Please keep your sentiment short in general, but positive and encouraging so that families know that someone cares and is invested in their happiness and success. Please do not seal the envelope in which you enclose your note.