The
Suitcases for Kids program is a joint effort between the Portland Metropolitan Rotary Club with Children's Services and Portland Luggage to provide travel ware for foster children moving from one family home to another. Many foster youngsters have no adequate suitcase, duffle bag, backpack or other means to transport clothing and basic personal items when being moved from one foster family home to another. Many are left in a demeaning position of stuffing and packing personal items --many with close family attachment--into garbage bags, grocery bags, cardboard boxes or other ill-equipped containers. This is embarrassing to youths trying to find their way into a new living environment.
"We found that many foster youngsters are faced with packing their clothing and personal belongings into cardboard boxes, grocery bags, even plastic garbage bags"
-- Portland Metro Rotary Secretary Douglas Porter
Portland Luggage is collecting suitcases and other luggage for foster children to use to move their personal effects as they are transferred from one home to another. The luggage will be cleaned and repair by Portland Luggage's own Luggage Doctors. As incentive for customers to bring in their suitable luggage for donation, both Portland Luggage locations will offer customers up to 20% off purchases for customers who donate a suitable travel ware item (suitcase, duffel bag, backpack). Usable or repairable items will be refurbished and distributed on an ongoing basis throughout the year.
