DCFS in need of bags for children in foster care


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SALT LAKE CITY — For Merrick Graham, waiting is a part of his everyday routine. These days he's waiting for his train to take him to and from work, but for five years he was waiting to be adopted.

"After awhile you get used to it," Graham said.

He grew up in the Utah foster care system where he had to move 13 different times.

"The foster parents bag up your stuff with whatever bags you have and most times everything I owned just ended up in garbage bags."

His story is not uncommon. The garbage bag issue isn't sitting well with those at the Division of Child and Family services.

"Taking a child from the home is hard enough," Brent Platt with DCFS said. "It's not easy for the child but there is neglect and abuse going on in our state."

It's hard to think about children being taken out of their homes around the holidays, but in December the need is great.

"Our caseworkers are moving quickly," Platt said. "We don't have time to run to a store and get backpacks or suitcases for these kids."

Platt says DCFS is not asking for money or presents for these children; they're asking for bags.

"It might feel like a small thing but it's a huge deal," Platt said. "It says to these kids and families that the community cares."

Graham isn't waiting anymore.

"I'm paying rent and you know, living life," he said.

He's no longer in foster care but says he'll never forget how it affected him.

"Yeah, it was rough," he said.

How you can help
Bag specifications: Collapsible - Easy to store - New with tags

Minimum sizes: Backpacks — 12 x 16 in. Duffle bags — 20 x 10 x 12 in. Material: Any reasonably durable material that can be flattened for storage. Donations can be dropped off at any of the 35 DCFS offices statewide.

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Ashley Kewish

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