I'm involved with a wonderful group of ladies that makes quilts for foster children. Sometimes, these kids have nothing to take with them to their foster home so we try to make sure every kid has a quilt of their own. I also heard something recently about a "suitcase" for foster children. Maybe you could make quilted bags and put stuff like tooth paste and tooth brush, brush and comb, etc., stuff we take for granted, in it. If anyone in your group travels much the little hotel samples of shampoo etc. would work too.
Susan