Kristin Finan believes hope is stronger than fear, and she wants to instill that belief in children entering the foster care system in Central Texas. That’s why she’s one of the founders of Carrying Hope, a nonprofit that gives Hope Packs filled with necessities and comfort items such as stuffed animals to children placed in foster care.

A foster mom herself, Finan has seen children arrive at their new temporary home with nothing but the clothes they’re wearing. That means children, and even teens, are excited to receive items of their own in a backpack they can keep.

“We've even heard stories of children wanting to keep the packaging from the items in their Hope Packs because it's the first time in their whole life they've ever received something brand new, just for them,” Finan says.

She’s watched a smile spread across the face of her own foster daughter as the little girl opened her Hope Pack and discovered a bag full of things just for her. And she sees the girl turn to items for comfort.

“Her entire life is in flux right now,” Finan says. “Sometimes it's hard for me to find the right words when she cries at night asking if she'll ever see her mom again because I simply don't know.”

At those times, her foster daughter turns to the items from her Hope Pack: her flashlight, to ward off the bad dreams; her blanket, to keep her warm; and her trendy LOL-brand toys, which gave her instant status with her new foster sisters.

“It's impossible to know what the future holds, but (it’s our mission) to provide comfort and peace in the present,” Finan says.

Thank you for sharing love and hope, Kristin. We salute you as a Whataburger Hometown Hero!