Legacy Church in Atascadero donated essential supplies to local children in foster care Friday.
According to a spokesperson for the San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services, when the department has to remove children or youth from homes due to abuse or neglect, those kids often leave in crisis with no chance to pack personal belongings.
To support children in foster care, members of Legacy Church decorated and packed nearly 100 new duffel bags and delivered them to the social services department.
Each bag included a blanket, toiletries and other necessities.
Church members say they want to help foster youth as they transition between homes and families.
"We just wanted to get together and bless the foster kids of our community by providing them duffel bags for their stuff instead of the typical trash bags they get to throw their things in," said Emily Holle, a church representative who is also a foster parent.
The spokesperson said social workers will now be able to grab a few bags each time they head out on a crisis call.
According to the social services department, there are more than 360 children and youth in foster care in San Luis Obispo County.
Community members interested in donating or getting involved can call (805) 781-1705 or visit the county's foster care website.
