Florida Churches Provide Backpacks with Necessities and Comfort for Children of Deported Parents

Backpacks filled with essentials and comfort items are being prepared by volunteers in the Orlando area for children whose parents have been detained or deported by federal immigration officials. The initiative, launched by a Florida Christian organization, aims to provide aid to children in need while also engaging Christians, particularly White or English-speaking evangelicals, in supporting immigrants amid increased deportations.

Since May, volunteers from eight churches have contributed to packing 103 backpacks, which are then distributed through four partner community organizations serving immigrant families. The churches are part of the Central Florida Micah Movement, an Orlando-based Christian network formed in the past year to support immigrants, inspired by the biblical call to “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.”

Kirsty Ortega, a member of Summit Church, conceived the backpack initiative after learning that community groups serving immigrants often feel limited by a lack of funding and overwhelming need. “A lot of times, they feel like their hands are tied when people come in,” she said. “They don’t have much to give them.” Ortega, a longtime volunteer with refugee families, was inspired by stories of volunteers providing similar kits to people leaving detention in Minneapolis earlier this year.

Each backpack includes nonperishable food, hygiene products, and a QR code linking to legal resources and food distribution. Comfort items such as stuffed animals, candy, and a sheet with techniques to manage panic attacks are also included. Volunteers add a personal note and a prayer for each child. The Central Florida Micah Movement provides a detailed list of items for volunteers to assemble, with each backpack costing between $40 to $50 to prepare.

The backpacks also contain an “emotional toolkit” designed to help children cope with distress. The toolkit encourages children to talk about their feelings, get outside, snuggle with a stuffed animal, or use their senses to ground themselves. It acknowledges the pain of separation and offers practical steps for emotional support.

This initiative reflects a growing effort among churches to address the human impact of immigration policies, offering tangible aid and spiritual support to families affected by detention and deportation. The work of these churches aligns with the biblical call to care for the vulnerable and to act with justice and mercy.

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