TAK PAKS

Something to Call Their Own

When a child enters foster care, they often arrive with nothing. A TAK PAK changes that. You can fill a backpack with curated essentials and comfort items so every child knows that they matter.

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Comfort On The Hardest Day

"What a gift to be able to witness the joy the TAK PAKS brought to 16- and 12-year-old sisters who were emergency placed with us in the middle of the night. Having some new personal care and comfort items packed in a backpack was a bright spot for them during a difficult time."

—Williamson County Foster Family

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From Newborns To Teenagers. Every TAK PAK Is Made For Them.

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A Backpack Filled By You Can Make All The Difference

The stuffed animal you pack will comfort a child on one of their hardest days. Your note will encourage a child entering foster care that they are seen and valued.

1

Inquire About Making TAK PAKS

Just click "Get Started" and fill out our interest form with some basic info.

2

Get Your List & Fill The Bags

Our Program Coordinator will reach out quickly with more information on our types of paks and curated lists.

3

Drop Off So a Child Can Receive

Whether you're making 1 or 20, we'll get the bags into the hands of a child entering foster care through our agency partners.

Great For Groups

One Backpack Changes A Child's Day. Twenty Changes A Community.

When groups make twenty or more TAK PAKS together, it's enough to stock a new county's resource closet. Each backpack filled with comfort and essentials makes a difference. When your friends, family, or coworkers gather together and make TAK PAKS, the message that "you are seen, you are loved, and you matter" is amplified.

Use your team-building time to make a difference. Gather your friends for a meaningful way to give back in your community. Together, you're bringing comfort for kids entering foster care.

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What's Inside?

Every Item Is Chosen With Purpose

A TAK PAK isn't just supplies. It's a message: someone thought about you.

When kids open their TAK PAKS, they can feel like each item was chosen just for them. Whether they like to read or play, have textured or fine hair, dry or sensitive skin, everything in the bag fits their needs.

TAK PAKS are filled with new quality items so each child feels seen and valued. On average, a TAK PAK costs $180 to fill.

TAK PAKS | Ages 18+

And When They Leave The System, We Don't Stop

Each year, more than 1,000 young adults in Tennessee age out of foster care. No family to fall back on. No safety net. Many face their first apartment, first job, or first semester of school without the basics most of us take for granted.

A Young Adult TAK PAK is a laundry basket filled with household supplies, toiletries, and a grocery gift card. It's a practical foundation for a young person building a life on their own. And it tells them what they've always deserved to hear: someone is still thinking about you.

Young Adult TAK PAKS
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  • “Y’all are the most responsive and also the most attentive to the needs for our families and you also have made the process easy which I LOVE! Y’all are just so amazing to work with, I’ll tell anyone who asks, I appreciate you guys beyond measure!”

    Makisha

    Department of Children’s Services Resource Linkage

  • “I wanted to let you know how happy a youth was this week when he received his TAK PAK. It had a sketch book and pencils and flashlight among other things. He was so excited. Before receiving his TAK PAK he was crying a lot and missing his mom and worried about his future. When he saw the sketch book his eyes lit up and he began to draw and relax a little. Later in the day he took the flashlight and entertained his little [sibling] making shadow puppets on the wall. Such a blessing…Together we are bringing smiles to kids in very challenging times.”

    Pearl

    TN DCS Office of Child Safety

  • “Guys where do I start? You all went above and beyond for our foster kids today! It was GREAT! As we pulled from the parking lot one of my 14 year olds was crying. One of the other girls ask her why. She said its sad… I said how is it sad? She said Ive never received a Christmas present before. All these people were so nice and it was even kids our age giving. To say she was overwhelmed is an understatement. They all loved every single thing they got today. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!!”

    Foster Family

    TAK's Very Merry Christmas Parade

  • “Y’all made it safe enough for them to live and not worry bout being hungry,or how was I going to feed them… To go shopping for my kids to have decent clothes and shoes for back to school and look like something made my heart cry. Those are things that I couldn’t do at that time for them but TAK y’all are responsible for those SMILES… They were so happy to pick out their clothes and their shoes. That gives kids so much more confidence in going to school and wanting to learn. I still can’t Thank y’all enough for giving this Mom Hope but I’ll definitely never forget. So .From the people who Donate to the staff who helps put everything together Thank Y’all 🤗🥰❣️”

    Family of Kids at Risk

    Family Preservation

  • “Your support was not just appreciated, it was felt. You showed up with compassion, generosity, and a willingness to do whatever was needed to help this young man take this next step toward independence. And that is what a village does. Sometimes we don’t realize how much a helping hand, a kind word, a financial contribution, or simply being willing to say “I’ve got you” can mean to a young person who is trying to build a life for themselves.”

    Ginger

    TN DCS Office of Independent Living

  • “He loves his backpack. Like loves it. He was excited about every single thing he pulled out. He is currently playing with his writing pad. He wants to use one of his new toothbrushes. And when he pulled out the Bible he said “it’s like they new everything I wanted.” We already wrote his name in it. But his favorite thing is the blanket.”

    Foster Mom

    Foster Mom of 3-Year-Old Boy

  • “Tennessee Alliance for Kids has been an incredible support to the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes over the years as they fulfill urgent needs and provide our children with TAK PAKS upon entering our care. Our foster homes appreciate the care and support that comes from TAK.”

    Ella

    Tennesse Baptist Children's Homes

  • “I have watched a child open this and read a note and look through each item in the backpack and say, ‘Wow, these people care about me…’”

    Rebecca

    CSC Tennessee

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Group 5116

2,000+

kids served with TAK PAKS of essential & comfort items

Ready To Fill A TAK PAK?

Tell us a little about yourself and we'll send you everything you need to get started.