----------

Every year, thousands of children enter foster care carrying everything they own in a trash bag. Not because no one cares, but because no one planned for them.

Chris and Jessica Silvey of Care Package Inbound break down exactly why that happens, what it communicates to a child, and how a single backpack, packed with intentionality, can change the first 48 hours of a child's life in care.

----------

Imagine leaving your house in the morning with no plans and coming home that night with a newborn baby in your arms. It sounds like a movie, but for Ben and Nicole Long, it’s real life.

In this episode of Packed With Purpose, we're sitting down with the Longs to discuss their incredible journey through international adoption hurdles, the heartbreak of failed matches, and the "breadbox" moments that led them to foster care.

----------

Whether you’re curious about foster care, looking for ways to help, or already part of the system, this podcast will inform you, encourage you, and empower you to make a difference — one child, one story, and one moment at a time.

Subscribe so you too can be part of this movement!

----------

Get Involved:

📦 Donate items or funds: https://www.carepackageinbound.com/support-us

📧 Share your story or refer a guest: admin@carepackageinbound.com

About Care Package Inbound:

Care Package Inbound is a nonprofit organization that exists to deliver hope to children entering foster care — through intentionally packed backpacks designed to provide dignity, comfort, and belonging in the first 48 hours of care.

Packed With Purpose is their podcast — where they pull back the curtain on the why behind everything they do, and empower you to be part of the solution.

----------

Every year, thousands of children enter foster care carrying everything they own in a trash bag. Not because no one cares — but because no one planned for them.

Chris and Jessica Silvey of Care Package Inbound break down exactly why that happens, what it communicates to a child, and how a single backpack — packed with intentionality — can change the first 48 hours of a child's life in care.

----------

In this episode:

Can you help the foster care system if you aren't in a season to foster? The answer is a resounding YES. Emily Linhardt shares her journey from a volunteer at a packing event to becoming the CFO of Care Package Inbound. We dive deep into why 48-hour emergency bags are more than just supplies; they are a message of intrinsic value to foster kids.

----------

Whether you’re curious about foster care, looking for ways to help, or already part of the system, this podcast will inform you, encourage you, and empower you to make a difference — one child, one story, and one moment at a time.

Subscribe so you too can be part of this movement!

----------

Get Involved:

📦 Donate items or funds: https://www.carepackageinbound.com/support-us

📧 Share your story or refer a guest: admin@carepackageinbound.com

About Care Package Inbound:

Care Package Inbound is a nonprofit organization that exists to deliver hope to children entering foster care — through intentionally packed backpacks designed to provide dignity, comfort, and belonging in the first 48 hours of care.

Packed With Purpose is their podcast — where they pull back the curtain on the why behind everything they do, and empower you to be part of the solution.

----------

Every year, thousands of children enter foster care carrying everything they own in a trash bag. Not because no one cares — but because no one planned for them.

Chris and Jessica Silvey of Care Package Inbound break down exactly why that happens, what it communicates to a child, and how a single backpack — packed with intentionality — can change the first 48 hours of a child's life in care.

In this episode:

• Why trash bags became the default (and why it's not as simple as "just use a backpack")
• The trauma response foster youth carry into adulthood — tied to the smell of a trash bag
• The years of research behind every single item in the bag (including why spiral-bound notebooks are a no)
• Why the bag has no logo — and why that matters more than you think
• The psychology of who gives the bag and how it affects whether a child feels like they owe someone
• How you can get involved — no matter who you are

"We can't fix everything. But we can change the beginning."

----------

Whether you’re curious about foster care, looking for ways to help, or already part of the system, this podcast will inform you, encourage you, and empower you to make a difference — one child, one story, and one moment at a time.

Subscribe so you too can be part of this movement!

----------

Get Involved:

📦 Donate items or funds: https://www.carepackageinbound.com/support-us

📧 Share your story or refer a guest: admin@carepackageinbound.com

About Care Package Inbound:

Care Package Inbound is a nonprofit organization that exists to deliver hope to children entering foster care — through intentionally packed backpacks designed to provide dignity, comfort, and belonging in the first 48 hours of care.

Packed With Purpose is their podcast — where they pull back the curtain on the why behind everything they do, and empower you to be part of the solution.

----------

On today's episode, we're sharing the vulnerable and winding journey of how we launched Care Package Inbound to deliver hope to children entering the foster care system. The conversation gives a candid look at our early struggles, including moments of burnout, financial uncertainty, and the persistent feeling of being underqualified for such a significant task.

----------

Whether you’re curious about foster care, looking for ways to help, or already part of the system, this podcast will inform you, encourage you, and empower you to make a difference — one child, one story, and one moment at a time.

Subscribe so you too can be part of this movement!

----------

Packed With Purpose is a foster care podcast dedicated to delivering hope, awareness, and real-world impact.

Hosted by the team behind Care Package Inbound, this show shines a light on the often unseen realities of the foster care system — while proving that you don’t have to be a foster parent to make a difference.

Packed With Purpose is a foster care podcast dedicated to delivering hope, awareness, and real-world impact.

Hosted by the team behind Care Package Inbound, this show shines a light on the often unseen realities of the foster care system — while proving that you don’t have to be a foster parent to make a difference.

Each episode features powerful conversations with social workers, doctors, psychiatrists, foster parents, former foster youth, biological families, and everyday people who are helping change lives in meaningful ways. Together, we explore the challenges children face when entering foster care, the emotional weight carried by families and professionals, and the small, intentional actions that can create lasting change.

Packed With Purpose balances honest, sometimes heavy stories with joy, humor, and hope. You’ll hear firsthand experiences that challenge assumptions, inspire compassion, and remind us that healing is possible — even years later. From emergency backpacks that meet immediate needs to stories that spark long-term transformation, every conversation is intentional and truly packed with purpose.

Whether you’re curious about foster care, looking for ways to help, or already part of the system, this podcast will inform you, encourage you, and empower you to make a difference — one child, one story, and one moment at a time.