Grateful Living
Hope in a Suitcase
Five Years of Compassion in Action
It’s been five years since Kathryn Rodda’s inspiring pitch for Hope in a Suitcase Fraser Coast captured hearts and earned the Judges’ Choice Award at the Community Innovators Pitch Night. With $3,000 in seed funding from Community Bank Hervey Bay, Kathryn’s simple yet powerful idea — to give every child entering foster care a suitcase filled with brand-new essentials — resonated deeply across the region.
Since that night in 2020, Hope in a Suitcase has grown from a heartfelt vision into a lifeline for hundreds of children. Kathryn and her husband, Andrew, are long-time foster carers. But Kathryn continues to pour her energy into the project and was recently recognised for her dedication during Queensland Child Protection Week.
“We want every child to know they are special and worthy of something new,” Kathryn explains. “Many of them have never owned anything brand new before.”
Each year, the volunteer team now packs between 150–200 suitcases and duffle bags, delivering them to child safety service centres and fostering agencies across Maryborough, Hervey Bay, and Bundaberg — with plans to expand into Kingaroy soon.
The project has also expanded to address other needs, including mum-and-bub bags for vulnerable new mums at Hervey Bay Hospital and personal hygiene packs for Urangan State High School’s Wellness Program.
Kathryn continues to be amazed by the generosity of the Fraser Coast community. “Just recently, I posted on Facebook about items we were short on. Within days, people were dropping off donations or ordering supplies online to be delivered straight to us. It’s incredible.”
While confidentiality prevents Kathryn from meeting the children who receive the suitcases, she often hears how significant they are. “Case workers tell us that when a child opens one of our suitcases, their eyes light up. They can hardly believe it’s all for them. For children facing one of the hardest days of their lives, that little spark of hope matters.”
For Kathryn, the mission remains deeply personal. “Each suitcase says you are loved, you are seen, you are worthy. That’s what keeps us going.”
Want to help? Donations of new items or financial support are always appreciated.
Visit Hope in a Suitcase Fraser Coast on Facebook to see current needs, or find out how you can help bring hope to children in care.
HOPE IN A SUITCASE
“We want every child to know they are special and worthy of something new,” Kathryn explains. “Many of them have never owned anything brand new before.”
Each year, the volunteer team now packs between 150–200 suitcases and duffle bags, delivering them to child safety service centres and fostering agencies across Maryborough, Hervey Bay, and Bundaberg — with plans to expand into Kingaroy soon.
The project has also expanded to address other needs, including mum-and-bub bags for vulnerable new mums at Hervey Bay Hospital and personal hygiene packs for Urangan State High School’s Wellness Program.
Kathryn continues to be amazed by the generosity of the Fraser Coast community. “Just recently, I posted on Facebook about items we were short on. Within days, people were dropping off donations or ordering supplies online to be delivered straight to us. It’s incredible.”
While confidentiality prevents Kathryn from meeting the children who receive the suitcases, she often hears how significant they are. “Case workers tell us that when a child opens one of our suitcases, their eyes light up. They can hardly believe it’s all for them. For children facing one of the hardest days of their lives, that little spark of hope matters.”
For Kathryn, the mission remains deeply personal. “Each suitcase says you are loved, you are seen, you are worthy. That’s what keeps us going.”
Want to help? Donations of new items or financial support are always appreciated.
Visit Hope in a Suitcase Fraser Coast on Facebook to see current needs, or find out how you can help bring hope to children in care.
HOPE IN A SUITCASE
Posted in Grateful Living