NEW bags packed with love are brightening the lives of Toowoomba foster children who previously were forced to carry around their worldly possessions in garbage bags.

Toowoomba mum Nadine Wright knew she had to act when she discovered children were turning up at foster homes carrying black garbage bags.

Mrs Wright packs up to 40 new bags each month with toiletries, pyjamas, toys or craft, handmade pillowcases or blankets and other goodies.

“When a child is given a garbage bag it just reflects the strong rejection they are already feeling,” Mrs Wright said. 

Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki MP praised Mrs Wright for the wonderful work she was doing in Toowoomba through her foundation, Hope for Our Children, which raises awareness of the plight of foster children. 

“These bags mean the world to children who have been removed from their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs,” Mr Janetzki said.

“It can be hard for foster children to be living in someone else’s home and wearing someone else’s clothes,” he said.

“This gives them something of their own that they can hold onto.”

Mrs Wright has received positive feedback from Toowoomba foster carers, though their stories were also tinged with sadness.

“There were two little girls who, at the time they were taken into care, hadn’t been bathed in over nine months,” she said.

“They were full of lice and had body sores.

“Their carer deloused them, washed and brushed their hair. The girls were so emotional to find new hairclips in their bags and be able to wear them,” she said.

“They were also so proud to take their new backpacks to school.” 

Mrs Wright currently relies on bag donations through her Hope for Our Children Facebook page. If you are able to help with donations, please contact Nadine Wright at [email protected]

The bags are distributed monthly to foster agencies in Toowoomba.

Photo:  Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki MP with (from left) Elijah Wright, Malachi Wright and Nadine Wright fill donated bags with goodies for foster children.