Hope Bags (formerly known as Restoration Bags) are backpacks filled with brand new items. They are sent to law enforcement agencies across the country to be given to Victims upon rescue. We receive hundreds of Hope Bag requests from the FBI, police departments, Homeland Security, and other organizations each year.
Survivors typically only have the clothes that they are wearing when they are recovered; that clothing is oftentimes confiscated as evidence. These backpacks not only bring much needed comfort and dignity, but also help to build trust and to bridge the gap between Victims and law enforcement.
Hope Bags are available for ages two to adult. Bags are filled specifically for male or female survivors; we now also offer a “universal” bag for anyone. (See lists below)
To date, Reclaiming Hope has shipped over 5,400 Hope Bags to law enforcement agencies across 49 states, plus Washington DC, US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico! In 2013, we were awarded the FBI DCLA award for our program. Here’s what one victim specialist had to say:
“A question I often get asked is, “how do you do your job? It must be so hard.” The thing is, it is hard and can be sad but through the generosity of people and organizations such as yours, I’m able to provide kindness and much needed support to people who would otherwise feel alone or defeated. So I get to be the face of the generosity when really, your efforts play such a large role in it.”
Want to help?
Thank you for selecting quality items that speak to a Survivor’s worth! Keep in mind that most of them have very little, so we want to make this a special experience for them. Please donate items that you would be proud to give to a youthful loved one.
You can download and print our list of Current Hope Bag Needs below: (Reclaiming Hope provides the backpacks, only the contents are needed.) You can also shop our Amazon Wish List and ship the items directly to us. Contact us for our shipping address. Please let us know if a shipment is coming!
To drop off the contents for a Hope Bag, or to ask any questions, please contact us at (719) 425-9405 or info@reclaiming-hope.org.
If you prefer, you are always welcome to donate financially to fill and ship a bag (Cost per shipped bag: $90 for children 2-8, $100 for adolescents 9-12, $130 for teen/adult bags 13 and up).
PLEASE NOTE:
- Only the specifically listed items can be sent – no substitutions
- Per government regulations, no religious items or notes
- No food
- No clothing or hygiene products with a sexually suggestive message (ie love, XOXO, caress, passion, sexy, intimate, lace, sheer or bare clothing, etc.)
- No sharp objects such as razors, nail clippers or scissors
- Please keep all tags on items, but remove or mark out prices
- Match sizes for clothing, shoes, underwear and bras for one bag
- We cannot send any used or damaged items
- Please use travel size hygiene products (no hotel items)
