Something often overlooked is how families experiencing homelessness secure their belongings, especially when they move from one place to another. We at Families Forward can tell you firsthand, that more often than not, when families arrive at our emergency shelter, parents and children are carrying all of their possessions in trash bags. The same is true when they pack up and leave our shelter for more permanent housing.

Let that visual sink in . . . trash bags carrying cherished personal belongings.

Yes, the same trash bags you use to literally take out your garbage each week.

Let’s change that together!

Families Forward kindly invites you—our generous community—to “Share Luggage with Love” by donating new and used pieces of luggage and duffel bags so we can embrace our families with the level of hospitality and care they deserve in their time of need and beyond.

Because let’s face it . . . our families’ belongings aren’t trash so they shouldn’t be treated as such.

How to Participate:

  • All donations must be dropped off at our shelter or delivered directly to us (we cannot accommodate pick-ups).

    Mailing Address:

    ATTN: Elise Zeitzheim

    Families Forward Philadelphia

    111 N. 49th Street

    Philadelphia, PA 19139

  • All luggage donations MUST be dropped off between Monday, August 26th through Monday, September 9th, 2024. Please come to the Shelter Entrance marked on the below map.

    *Please note that although our mailing address is 49th St., you will be coming to a parking lot off of 48th St.

  • Please use good judgment in giving used items—make sure wheels and zippers are functional, there are no large holes, etc.

For more information about our Luggage Drive

Please contact our Marketing Coordinator, Elise Zeitzheim