Many children enter foster care with nothing more than the clothes on their back and whatever personal belongings they can fit into a trash bag. As part of National Foster Care Month, Blue Cross NC's Healthy Blue Medicaid plan and Comfort Cases, an international non-profit dedicated to providing hope and dignity youth in foster care, teamed up to host a packing party on Friday, May 5. With more than 11,000 North Carolina children and youth in foster care, the need is great.

More than 50 volunteers from Blue Cross NC and community partners filled 200 backpacks with essential and personal care items, including pajamas, a blanket, hygiene items, a book and stuffed toy. Over 200 backpacks from the packing party were donated to Charlotte area nonprofits serving youth in foster care and to case workers and first responders to use during emergency removals.

"Blue Cross NC’s work to improve the health and well-being of people across our state extends far beyond health insurance. That means we must address the challenges that prevent North Carolinians, including youth in foster care, from achieving their best health possible," said Jinda Stoll, director, Special Government Programs. "Efforts like these are crucial to addressing the needs of our most vulnerable population, bringing them dignity and hope and improving their quality of life and well-being."

Among the organizations receiving backpacks, The Relatives, Congregations for Kids, Crossnore Communities for Children and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department attended the event to help pack "Comfort Cases."

To learn more about Blue Cross NC’s commitment to supporting the well-being of children in foster care and their families, click here.

About Comfort Cases:

Comfort Cases is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to inspire communities to bring dignity and hope to youth entering foster care. Since 2013, we have distributed more than 200,000 Comfort Cases® and Comfort XL duffel bags to children in the foster care system in all 50 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. We are a gold-level GuideStar participant, demonstrating our commitment to transparency. Click this link or visit www.comfortcases.org for more information.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), the leading not-for-profit health plan in North Carolina, is committed to making health care more affordable, easier to navigate and accessible for all. Since 1933, the health insurer has created programs and initiatives to provide North Carolinians the opportunity to be healthy. Blue Cross NC serves its customers and communities of more than 4.2 million members, including approximately 1.1 million on behalf of other Blue Plans. Blue Cross NC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit Blue Cross NC online at www.bluecrossnc.com. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.