The 48 bag

Nicole Van Gundy never waited for a child in need to arrive—she was always prepared.  Whether it was a late-night phone call or an unexpected placement, she carried extra clothing and baby essentials, ensuring that no child entered foster care without the necessities they deserved.  She even rallied her fellow law students, gathering supplies to help not just the children in her own home, but other families in need.

Inspired by Nicole’s compassion, The NAV Foundation’s The 48 Bag initiative continues her mission. When a child is placed into foster care, they often arrive with nothing—sometimes removed from their home in the middle of the night or discharged from a hospital with only the clothes on their back. Given the urgency for placement, foster families often find themselves overwhelmed and ill-prepared, and are forced to rush and gather supplies when their focus should be on offering comfort and security. Our initiative hopes to ease this transition by

providing a bag to every child entering foster care.

Each age-specific bag is filled with necessities tailored for the child, including clothing, toiletries, a small blanket, a book or comforting toy, and more. These bags provide immediate relief to foster families, allowing them to focus on what truly matters—nurturing and bonding with the child in their care.

You can help continue Nicole’s mission by donating, contributing supplies, or sponsoring a bag. Together, we can provide more than just essentials—we can offer security, comfort, and hope to children entering foster care.