Collectors donate
Bulk, holos, rares, EX cards, and other clean, collectible Pokémon and TCG cards are welcome.
COMMUNITY TRADING CARD PROJECT
PACK IT FORWARD
Everyone deserves the joy of opening a pack.
We turn donated Pokémon and other trading cards into exciting mystery packs and give them away free through community organizations and local stores.
KID FOUNDEDBY AN 11-YEAR-OLD COLLECTOR
BUILTBY COLLECTORS
PACKEDBY VOLUNTEERS
ALWAYSFREE OF CHARGE
WHY WE STARTED
It started with Elijah.
Pack It Forward was founded by Elijah, an 11-year-old Pokémon collector who wanted other kids to have the same chance to enjoy the hobby that he does.
Elijah loves Pokémon. He loves opening packs, discovering new cards, adding Pikachus to his collection, trading with other kids, and all the little things that make collecting exciting. For him, opening a pack has never just been about pulling the most valuable card. He still chooses packs by the artwork and loves the surprise of not knowing what is inside.
The hobby should be for kids, too.
Pokémon cards are supposed to be fun. But lately, getting a pack at retail can feel more like a competition than a hobby. Popular releases can disappear almost immediately, only to show up online at dramatically higher prices. Even with the 30th Anniversary release, prices climbed quickly enough to make simply opening a few packs difficult for a lot of families.
Instead of kids being able to walk into a store and pick out a pack, families can find themselves watching product drops, refreshing websites, and competing with resellers just to buy cards at retail. That raises a bigger question: what about the kids whose families simply cannot participate at those prices?
Elijah helped inspire a simple idea. Collectors have thousands of extra cards sitting in boxes. Why not turn those cards back into packs and give them to kids who might otherwise never get the experience of opening one?
And not packs filled with unwanted leftovers. Pack It Forward mixes in everyday cards, holos, EXs, rares and real hits so there is genuine excitement when a kid tears one open. The goal is to give every recipient that same anticipation Elijah feels when he chooses a pack and cannot wait to see what is inside.
The packs are given away completely free through shelters, food pantries, soup kitchens, community organizations and other groups serving kids and families. Pack It Forward is not about recreating the secondary market. It is about recreating that moment when a kid tears open a pack and cannot wait to see what is inside.
Because the hobby should not belong only to whoever can pay the biggest markup. Everyone deserves the joy of opening a pack.
One kid's love of collecting became an idea for sharing that feeling with thousands of other kids. Hopefully, one pack at a time, Pack It Forward can help create a few new collectors and a lot of smiles.
HOW IT WORKS
From card box to mystery pack.
We sort and pack
Cards are checked, sorted, and balanced into tear-open mystery packs. We deliberately mix in holos, EXs, rares, and other hits so opening one feels like opening a real pack — not receiving a handful of leftover bulk.
Partners give them away
Community partners distribute every pack free of charge to kids and families in their communities.
WE COLLECT
Pokémon and other TCG cards to create exciting packs for kids.
WE DONATE
To shelters, food pantries, soup kitchens, community organizations, and places serving kids in need.
WE INSPIRE
Giving kids the excitement of opening a pack, discovering a favorite card, trading with friends, and maybe starting a collection of their own.
WHAT GOES INSIDE
Mostly everyday cards. Always a real chance at something special.
The exact mix can change as donations arrive, but every batch is intentionally built to preserve the fun of opening a real pack.
Every pack carries the promise.
Open it. Enjoy it. Trade it. Pass it forward. Each pack is sealed with a thank you to the collectors who shared the hobby.
- ✓ Collector donated
- ✓ Kid approved
- ✓ Packed by volunteers
Variety
Characters, types, colors, and games are mixed to make each pack feel different.
Surprises
Holos, rares, EX cards, inserts, and occasional bigger hits are distributed across the run.
Quality checked
Cards are reviewed before packing so damaged or inappropriate material does not go out.
Never sold
Pack It Forward packs are created to be given away and enjoyed. They are never intended for resale.
HELP BUILD THE NEXT PACK
Donate the cards you no longer need.
Common and uncommon cards are the foundation of the project. Holos, rares, EX cards, vintage cards, sleeves, and sealed supplies help make the experience even better.
PokémonMagicYu-Gi-Oh!LorcanaOther TCGs
Donation steps
- Sort out cards that are heavily damaged, dirty, or inappropriate.
- Keep games separated when practical.
- Include your name or group so we can thank you.
- Contact us before sending very large donations.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Request free packs for your organization or store.
We welcome requests from shelters, food pantries, soup kitchens, schools, libraries, hospitals, youth programs, community events, and other organizations serving kids and families. Independent stores may also request packs for free community giveaways.
Availability depends on donations and volunteer capacity. Packs may contain different games and are not intended for resale.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You are part of something bigger.
Every box of extra cards can become someone else’s first pack, first favorite pull, or the beginning of a collection. Pack It Forward works because collectors are willing to share the hobby they love with the next kid.
@forwardpackit
Follow us on Instagram for pack drops, partner shout-outs, and the stories behind the cards. Tag your pulls and pass the joy along.
Open it. Enjoy it. Trade it. Pass kindness on.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Good questions. Clear answers.
Do you sell these packs?
No. Pack It Forward packs are donated free of charge. Recipient organizations and participating stores agree not to resell them.
Do cards need to be valuable?
No. Bulk cards are essential. Better cards help us add exciting pulls, but every useful donation matters.
What condition do cards need to be in?
Cards should be clean and presentable. Lightly played cards are fine. We do not pack cards that are badly bent, water damaged, dirty, moldy, or heavily marked.
Can I donate sealed products or supplies?
Yes. Sleeves, team bags, pouches, stickers, shipping materials, and sealed trading card products may all support the project.
Is Pack It Forward affiliated with Pokémon or another game company?
No. Pack It Forward is an independent community project and is not sponsored by or affiliated with any trading card game publisher.
ONE PACK AT A TIME