Three Kids, Two Jobs (Including) One Small Business - and a Foster Kids' School Clothing Drive

Kids Planet Resale owner Pam Feldman next to the clothing drive collection sign at her store. (Photo courtesy Pam Feldman and Kids Planet Resale)

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Kids Planet Resale owner Pam Feldman has a lot on her plate, but that hasn’t stopped her from taking on one more thing: a back-to-school clothing, uniform, and supplies drive for metro Detroit-area foster children.

The drive is the 2nd annual effort held by For The Seventh Generation (www.fortheseventhgeneration.org), which matches donations of goods and services with foster children, foster families, and teens both in and aging out of the foster care system.

“The thing is, though, that Michigan’s foster care system doesn’t give foster families nearly enough to clothe a child or a teen for a whole year,” she added, “let alone enough for them to be able to go to school looking like the other kids. I spent three years as a foster care worker myself so I know both how much our foster children and teens go through, and how little most of them have.”

“... Michigan’s foster care system doesn’t give foster families nearly enough to clothe a child or a teen for a whole year, let alone enough for them to be able to go to school looking like the other kids.” – Pam Feldman

Feldman, who in addition to owning and operating Kids Planet is currently an ER social worker at Henry Ford Hospital in West Bloomfield, has placed a donation box just inside the front of her store.“I want people know that they don’t have to make a purchase at Kids Planet in order to make a donation,” she explained. “At the same time, customers are of course welcome to buy their donation here!”

“People like Pam make our work possible,” said For The Seventh Generation Executive Director Lorraine Weber. “We’re very grateful that she’s made the time for our foster children and teens in the midst of running a business, working an additional job, and taking care of her family.”

About For The Seventh Generation

Founded in 2005 by the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association Foundation, For The Seventh Generation served more than 500 foster children, families and teens in 2013 – and is on track to help more than 1,000 in 2014. In addition to a website that matches donors with those in need, the organization holds special events for foster children and teens; hosts a Help Closet with clothing, furniture, and other items; and provides free instruments and music lessons through the Play It Forward music program.

The 2nd Annual School Clothing and Uniform Drive for Foster Children will last through September 30. In addition to new/nearly new school clothing and supplies for K-12 foster children, the charity is seeking monetary donations and gift cards to purchase school uniforms as requests come in.

For more information, including how to volunteer or make a donation of goods or services, visit the charity’s website at: www.fortheseventhgeneration.org or its Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/fortheseventhgeneration