This post is sponsored by Mormon.org. All opinions expressed are my own.
This year as part of our homeschool, we participate in a local Christian Exploring Co-Op. We take turns planning field trips for our kids. In addition to the field trips, we schedule a Moms Night Out, a Teen Night, and a Service Project each quarter too. Our last service project was a few weeks ago and we collaborated as a homeschool group to make blessing bags for homeless people.
I know many of us (myself included) are never quite sure what to do when confronted with a homeless person. Should we ignore them, look the other way, a gesture that we don’t have cash on us (which is often actually true)? Should we just say hi? Or should we give them cash or food or even some work?
Many of us are hesitant to give cash, as we question if this person is actually a con-artist, feigning homeless, or if money is used for alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, or other harmful or illegal things?
It’s hard to know for sure!
What I do know is that they are people, many of them in fact down and out, and in need of support and love from another.
I have never been homeless. I don’t really understand their plight. But, I do know the blessing it is to be helped by a stranger (or a friend or family member) when times are tough.
It’s why I love seeing various things innovators, policy makers, and Good Sanitarians do to improve the lives of homeless people, from giving the homeless actual homes, to providing the homeless with work, to creating sleeping bag coats, to giving them haircuts:
I’m all for practical gifts, which is why I love the idea of a blessing bag! It is giving them simple, everyday products to help them better live out on the streets, to be cleaner, drier, healthier, and fed.
I have seen and heard about this idea for quite some time, but never put together a bag until now.
I found that putting together homeless blessing bags was super easy in a group! I did it with my homeschool co-op group, but doing it with your church, school, or work is great too.
Blessing bags are also often known as homeless care packages and are a great way to help homeless women and men. If you’re aware that there is a homeless population in your area, there might be a high demand for hot meals and other simple needs. A good way to know what is needed is to contact support services or talk to someone at the local homeless shelter. Homeless shelters and food banks will have a list of items needed during the various time of year.
Lifting Others Burdens
As a Christian, I want to find opportunities to serve other people. After all, Jesus lifted others’ burdens and so can I. Jesus Christ descended below all things, putting Himself in a position to lift anyone’s burdens. When I lend my strength, abilities, and sometimes monetary resources, to another bogged down by life’s challenges, I act as the Lord’s servant, helping lift another’s load.
December 1 is the Worldwide Day of Service and the perfect day to kick start 25 days of service to others all month long as a way to #LIGHTtheWORLD with charity, kindness, and Christ-like love. We are called to be His lights, His angels, His hands here on Earth.
Mormon.org has provided a calendar of Christ-like behaviors we can try to emulate in our own small and big ways for the first 25 days of December. Each day they provide a new service challenge and suggestions on how to serve in that way. For ideas on how you can serve in your own way, visit Mormon.org each day of December. You can find local service opportunities on JustServe.org as well.
I encourage you to participate in this challenge as you prepare for Christmas Day. Maybe one of these days you can create a blessing bag by yourself or with a group, or otherwise serve a homeless person at Christmastime.
How to Put Together Homeless Blessings Bags as a Group
In an effort to be the hands and feet of Jesus by assembling these blessing bags, we understood that many hands make light work!
It is much easier to assemble several blessing bags as a group than it is by yourself! With a group you split up the bulk buys between individuals (or even better use what individuals already have in bulk), meet up together with your contributions, and set up an assembly line!
And before you know it, your blessing bags are assembled, and every family is leaving with 4-5 bags to put in the back of their vehicles for easy blessing delivering!
What to Put Into Blessing Bags for Homeless
Our group set out to make 50+ bags. Here is what we asked for:
- 1-2 Families to bring 50 or more Gallon sized Ziploc Bags
- 5 Families to bring white or black Adult Socks, supplying 10 or more pairs per family
- 3 Families to bring snacks – granola bars, cheese and crackers, etc
- 3 Families to bring a case of bottled water
- 2 Families to bring mini Hand Sanitizer bottles, 25 each
- 2 Families to provide a pack or two of Hand Sanitizer bottles
- 3 Families to provide mini tissues packs, 20 per family.
- 3 Families to provide toothbrushes, 15-20 per family
- 3 Families to provide (small tubes of) toothpaste, 15-20 per family
Some families provided extra items as well, like leftover Halloween candy and floss. There are lots of additional items you can add too! Feel free to expand this list to include other personal care items like a bar of soap, deodorant, combs, sunscreen, band-aids, chapstick, or even hand warmers, as well as more non-perishable food items like beef jerky, raisins, peanuts, mints, gum, or trail mix. Extra things like gift cards to local grocery stores or eateries are a great idea too.
You’ll need to keep in mind how many families or individuals you have in your group and decide on which items are most important for you to include in your blessing bags, and what is most economical and affordable for your group members. Individuals are always free to add more to their bags after the packing party is over.
Our family provided the facial tissue and put several tissues from a regular sized box into small sandwich bags. I had plenty of boxes on hand, and snack bags, and I know those little mini packs never have enough when you need them!
You can call around to different businesses too, like dentist and doctor offices, to see if they are able to donate things like the toothbrushes, toothpaste, bandages, or hand sanitizer.
Make sure you have a place for people to sign up and list what they are bringing so there is a good variety of items in your bags! If some people can’t be there, but want to participate, they can drop off items with another participating family ahead of time.
The Blessing Bag Assembly Party
When it’s finally time to bring all the items together, create an assembly line of the products, starting with the bags and larger items, and ending with the smaller items last.
We had the children grab bags and walk down the line and the adults hand him or her items to put into their bags (so they received the proper amount of each item). It went super quickly. We assembled around 50 bags, like we planned (some maybe missing an item or two as we started to run out of certain items), in about 10 minutes.
But, before we began, we said a prayer over the bags, asking God to lead us those individuals who could use these bags, and to bless those who receive them.
Once we finished our bags, each family grabbed about four or five blessing bags and put them in the back of their vehicles.
Homeless Blessing Bag Cards & Messages
Construction paper and markers and card-making supplies were provided so the children (and adults) could write cards, containing scripture verses, words of encouragement, or simply a nice picture and note. Many simply wrote “Jesus loves you.” My daughter wrote “I know the Gospel is true” on the outside of one of her cards, which touched my heart.
We still need to create some more notes to add to our bags (and toss in a few other extra items we have on hand) and I came across this beautiful printable quote from President Dieter F. Uctdorf, designed by Polka Dot Poplars, that would be perfect to include inside our bags.
I know that when times are tough, it helps knowing you aren’t alone or forgotten, but loved by someone, somewhere. Homeless people need to know that God loves them very, very much, and cares deeply for their welfare (which why He sent you, His hands, His Light, to them).
The above quote is part of a whole pack of free printables from Polka Dot Poplars with service ideas that I encourage you to check out and use to bless many individuals, homeless or not.
I hope you will take the time to create a blessing bag, or a few, and keep them in your car so that the next time you see someone in need, you can lift another’s burden. We’ve given one away so far, and look forward to the giving away the rest, when the time is right.
Now get out and Light the World!
Becca says
This is not a personal criticism, but a general comment. I don’t like blessing bags. I think they’re condescending. In Mosiah 4:26, King Benjamin tells us to give to the poor “according to their wants.” (THEIRS, not ours, not our idea of what they need.) Jesus Christ took the time to talk with the homeless, to get to know them as people; He never would’ve just thrown a bag at them with a cutesy saying about how much they’re loved, and then walked off; He’d show them His love. Blessing bags allow the giver to feel good about themselves, but don’t necessarily provide anything of worth to the receiver. Far better to take the time to talk with the homeless person, to ask what would be useful to them* and provide that, than to give a bag of toiletries that will likely find its way to the nearest trash can.
*And yes, they may say alcohol; and yes, you are within your rights to decline; but don’t assume that will be the answer every time. My parents used to work with homeless people, and many of them are battling either addiction or mental illness, or both; but they still know their wants and needs much better than you can, if you don’t take the time to ask after them and get to know them as individuals.
Katelyn Fagan says
I totally agree with you Becca! The blessing bags are a bit of “one size fits all” solution aren’t they. Every homeless person has a different story and situation so it’s hard to know that they *all* need socks and toothpaste. I guess I like to think that at least I am doing something, that I’m trying, and that perhaps my forethought about wanting to help a homeless person will positively affect them. But, I’ve never been homeless, so I don’t fully understand. It’s one way to serve, even if it may not be the best way.
Becca says
Whoops, I cross-posted! I’m just very used to being attacked for expressing this opinion. Look, none of us get it right all the time because, as you say, everyone is different and everyone has different circumstances. Some people will love blessing bags and some people will swear at you for offering them. Thank you for taking my comment in the best-possible light. I appreciate your charity.
Katelyn Fagan says
Thanks for commenting Becca! Always enjoy it when you do. 🙂
anna says
My group does blessing bags, I do feel they serve a purpose. Yes, we take a day and we hit the streets and make contact with the homeless. Some are more gracious than others to receive, some would prefer money. Our goal is to make contact and leave something with them. (a prayer, conversation and a blessing bag)
Janny says
I can see that you have a kind heart. But I’ve got to say this, not in a demeaning way, but from someone who knows homelessness.
My daughter has been homeless for almost two years (by her own doing, but all the same, she has put herself in a desperate situation that is beyond my control. She did live with my husband and me for about 9 months and we took very good care of her… And her 2 children. But.. the extra added expenses got to be more than we could handle, so my husband put her out on the streets (the children went to live with their dad). I’m still livid over him putting her out like he did, but I do understand. And we have helped her here and there along, as we can since.
My daughter gets robbed, beaten, raped, goes hungry and sick nearly on a daily basis.
Since he put her out, she barely has any communication with me at all, and I rarely know where she is… (The general vicinity, anyway).. but I do manage to get an instant message from her once or twice a month on messenger.
This is what I do know.
She’s always sick, never has any money, can’t work and hold a job down because she has a bad mental disability, but is too stubborn to let me help her file for disability (which I know she would get within 3 months due to her physical and mental problems).
Since she left, I’ve learned so much about homelessness. All of her friends are homeless, they actually do sleep outside in wooded areas with no blankets or extra clothing in the winter. No pillow even.. They sleep under awnings in town sometimes just to keep the snow and rain off as much as possible. If they do come across a cardboard box… guess what? Someone bigger and scarier “will” come along and demand that box, and if that don’t give it to them, they get beat up, cut and even murdered. My daughter has had strangers walk up while she was trying to sleep and run their hand down her pants to see if she’s hiding anything that might want to talk. Yes, they even take things hidden in their jeans and socks..bras…wherever something can be put.. sadly..yes..the will even look “inside” of a woman’s privates.
So I guess what I’m saying is that if you see a homeless person, especially a female.. chances are high that she’s desperate for anything she can get.
My poor daughter told me at one point of her homelessness all she had to her name was a dirty plastic bottle. She would guard that bottle with her life. Considering she had no money for food and drink, when she was fortunate enough to find a place to fill it up with water, she would drink til her stomach was full, then she would fill the bottle to drink on till the next time she found more drinkable water.
Going from what I know, the homeless are happy to get any little crumb someone gives them.
In no way did I intend to insult you, and I really hope I haven’t. I just wanted to be a voice for those in need.
Thank you for reading my letter. And btw, I’m sure my daughter’s case isn’t everybody else’s case and you know what you’re talking about. No doubt! I guess each case is different. But where my daughter is, everybody’s cases are the same :”(. It hurts more than anything to not be able to just go get her and bring her home! Every minute of every day..I’ve cried, I’ve aged, I’ve become sicker than I already was, prayed constantly… And I know God has got her in His hands..but it still is the worst thing I’ve ever experienced as a mother.. I can’t even imagine afraction of what her days are like :”(. But anyway, I just wanted to say that. Thanks for the ear.. Praying….
Cheryl says
Janny: I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter’s situation. I just wanted to mention that there are many, many soup kitchens, food pantries, and brown bag ministries all across the USA. Perhaps you can suggest to your daughter via instant message that she should inquire about which of these resources are available in her area. With so many organizations offering food to the needy, there is absolutely no reason for her to feel hungry on a daily basis.
Ulla nagel says
Doing s.th. is better than doing nothing and the coins/money will help washing laundry or getting a drink……and there will be always s.th. in it to help or to make s.o. happy! I don’t like wiseacres and criticizer! Stay happy
melody parker says
I agree but it also gives them thinks the need that they cant get. I give coats , gloves an hats . I also talk to them. Theres only so much we can do. That shows love. I offered bibles. Im sorry its a good thing.
Becca says
Please don’t get offended or defensive. People always respond that way whenever I say anything about this subject, or for that matter, whenever I bring up King Benjamin’s admonition to give to the poor “according to their wants.” But if we acknowledge that King Benjamin was a prophet, and if we acknowledge that we are trying to be like Christ – Well, giving a blessing bag is better than doing nothing; but I am saying, Why not go further?
Obey your instincts and if you feel that a homeless person is dangerous, don’t interact with them. But I have had some truly remarkable experiences from actually taking the time to speak with homeless people. It’s very easy to say, “God loves you.” It’s much harder to show, through your actions, that YOU love them. And God – For so many people, especially for people who are doing it rough, that’s an abstract thought. You are there. You are present. A bag of toiletries is all well and good; but taking the time to say, “Do you need toothpaste? Do you want a comb? Can I buy you a sandwich?” is better, because it’s giving according to their wants, and it’s empowering them to make a decision.
Perhaps a couple of stories will illustrate. I used to live in a red light district. My husband and I knew the prostitutes, we were on friendly terms, we’d stop and chat and we always smiled and waved. Once a die-hard Catholic friend visited. She really is the most lovely person, she truly glorifies God in her thoughts and actions. But she was so uncomfortable! The entire time she was shying away and fingering her crucifix, like she was warding off evil. If she’d stopped to say, “Hi, I’m Jill, how are you doing today?” they would’ve responded with a, “Hi, yeah, I’m doing okay, how’s this weather huh?” but she was scared of them. I get it; it’s challenging when you’re faced with people who are selling their bodies. But some of Christ’s first disciples were prostitutes. That wasn’t because He shied away from them in fear. It was because He took the time to see them, as people.
Several years later a man stood up in church to talk about how wonderful he’d been to a homeless man. He’d met this man by chance and immediately raced home and grabbed an old dusty sleeping bag and a pair of shoes and some cans of food and gave them to the man. He was tearing up as he was telling us how marvellous he was. And all I could think was – Did the man need a sleeping bag? It was the middle of summer. Were the shoes the right size? Did he even have a can opener to open the food, or a way of heating it up? All of these practical issues which could’ve been so easily resolved if he’d stopped to say, you know, “Hi, I’m Nathan, nice to meet you, I see you’re doing it a bit rough there, I’ve got an old sleeping bag at home, would that help?” Instead, *he provided the service he thought they should need.* Which is still probably better than doing nothing, but not necessarily (the sleeping bag, food, and shoes may well have just ended up in the trash.)
I’m not saying I always get it right, because I don’t. I often slip up, I forget to carry small change so I can’t give it away, I walk past the person with the sign because it’s easier and I’m in a hurry. But on those occasions when I’ve actually done better – when I’ve actually reached out and showed that I care, through taking the time to ask what they want and need – it’s been incredible. More than one homeless person has told me that the worst thing about being homeless is being invisible – people don’t see them, or if they do see them, they see them as a nuisance. On a daily basis homeless people have very little choice, they are made to feel that they should be overly grateful for even the smallest gestures of goodwill. It’s actually incredibly empowering to give them a say in the process. (And, by the way, it’s exactly the way Welfare Square operates with their homeless outreach.)
Katelyn Fagan says
I have always thought the “according to their wants” to be very interesting myself! I had a professor at BYU who pointed it out to me and I have thought about it since. The Lord’s system of welfare is definitely an individualized plan, a loving plan, and takes care of you as an individual and what you stand in need of.
I’ll admit to still being young and naive about a lot of things, and my experience with homeless people is very sparse and mostly just in passing. But, my dad taught me a lot about talking to everyone, and getting to know strangers. He regularly gave and gives service to people he meets of all walks of life and need (even though it can drive my mom batty sometimes). My parents currently have a “roommate” they took in who needed a place to stay. He’s picked up dozens of hitchhikers in his big rig, gave money and rides to people who needed them, and made small talk, complete with a joke and a smile, with just about everyone he came across. He knows all of his neighbors by name and regularly checks in on them and helps them as needed.
Unfortunately, I’m often more like my mother in this regard, and am too critical and hesitant. I know I need to be more like my dad, and more like Jesus. I hope that a blessing bag might help a homeless person not feel invisible and might meet at least one need of theirs, even if it isn’t the perfect way to serve them.
Becca says
I know this sounds terrible and I hate myself for saying it, but it’s easier for guys, they don’t have to worry about certain things that women have to worry about. So be kind to yourself.
Katelyn Fagan says
You make a good point. My husband would be upset with me for offering certain assistance to people I did not know without him. Especially if my kids are present.
Ashley says
I never thought I would end up in this situation but I am homeless. I have to say being a single female out here on the streets is definitely scary… I’m glad I have my car but I’ve been woken up many times with males standing around my car pointing out what they wanted and pointing at me saying I want her the most… But blessing bags would be so sweet and thoughtful to receive. For me money would be nice so I could put gas in my gas tank because I have my cats in my car as well and it is very hot right now so I have to make sure and keep them cool… It makes things hard because I have to stay with them in the car every second of the day or most so that way people won’t call the cops because of them being stuck in the car. It’s hard on my back.But I understand people don’t like to give money out because of addiction problems… But that doesn’t include everyone. The worst thing about being homeless is definitely being treated like you are less than everyone else. My situation is definitely unique as well because I am a victim of domestic violence… So not only did I have to go through two years worth of physical violence and emotional turmoil I lost everything because of him and I am so alone. Most females out here are victims of domestic violence and that is why we are homeless… So people look at me like they are disgusted because I am homeless but little do they know that I used to be a higher up Executive in my company and I was very successful and had a huge savings account until I met my abuser.People say well you should just get another job… It’s not that easy after everything my mind is just mentally exhausted my body is physically exhausted and not having a place to shower every day makes it really hard to look professional and look nice… Plus I can’t afford my storage unit all the time so sometimes I get a lock on it in my storage unit has all my clothes… Are used to keep a bunch of clothes in my car but people would break in and steal them all. It’s just really rough. I don’t want to work right now because I want to heal and process everything to you but it’s hard to heal and process everything when I never have any privacy because I’m always in my car. People say well you just get another job… It’s not that easy after everything my mind is just mentally exhausted my body is physically exhausted and not having a place to shower every day makes it really hard to look professional and look nice… Plus I can’t afford my storage unit all the time so sometimes I get a lock on it in my storage unit has all my clothes… Are used to keep a bunch of clothes in my car but people would break in and steal them all. It’s really rough. I don’t want to work right now because I want to heal and process everything to but it’s hard to heal and process everything when I never have any privacy because I’m always in my car. Honestly I have everything going against me right now but I’m a way I’m the happiest I’ve ever been because I don’t have rent or anything to think about anymore…I’ve always been pretty humble but this experience has been extremely humbling and made me truly realize how lucky I have been growing up and how much good I’ve had in my life. But I just wish people would understand and listen to us. I wish people would look at us like a normal human being and treat us like a normal human being… Even my family and friends who found out I’m homeless look at me with disgust. When in reality the only reason why i am homeless is because of my ex abuser… There’s not enough resources out there for us, I’ve tried emailing a domestic violence center and no one has emailed me back… That was two weeks ago. I’m starving, haven’t laid in a bed in over six months, and I’m Hot and uncomfortable in the car… I have a horrible back and I can barely stand up now because of how bad sitting at the car is for my back . I barely have gas every day to even keep our AC on. But anyways I just wanted to let you know that we do appreciate anything that anyone does for us. I just want to spread the word and have people start thinking about homelessness a little bit differently… Ask people their story of why they are homeless. Most people have a really tragic sad story like mine… The PTSD from the relationship is in sane and I have severe abandonment issues now with being homeless as well. This is one of my first times really reaching out and even opening up to anyone… I just want to be heard. If you have any questions you can email me I would love to chat more about spreading the word of domestic violence and homelessness… Thank you so much
Email: blueama54@hotmail.com
Ashley
Steve Jones says
Ashley, your story is tragic. What are the prospects of your eventually getting off the streets? Are you able to work toward that?
SJ
Vicki says
I’ve never gotten a negative response when giving out a blessing bag. One gentleman just about cried, I’ve always been thanked, I had one man thank me saying he’d just lost his mom and he felt like my gift was from her. I put in tissues, bandaids, socks, soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, granola bars, tuna fish snacks that come with crackers, face mask and hand sanitizer, and hand wipes. No religious cards. Sometimes I’ll include a few dollars.