Blessing Bags

Our city seems to have more and more people standing on our street corners with signs saying, “Homeless, hungry, please help.” Like most people, I want to help. I’ve been told not to give out money because it can be used for drugs. My money, social workers say, will go further if given to a program like the Peterborough YES Family and Youth centre. I do give to organizations, but I can’t just drive by hungry, homeless people begging.

On a recent Sunday at Bridgenorth United Church, the children made “blessing bags,” plastic bags filled with a granola bar, a juice box, a travel tooth brush and tooth paste, and whatever else – maybe a pair of socks, warm mittens and always an affirming message. These are to be kept handy in your car to give out to the homeless people we often see in the street. Our instructions were: “They are your neighbours. Speak to them. Learn their names. Ask if they would like the bag. Whether or not they want it, smile and say, God Bless You, and mean it.

There weren’t enough bags for the whole congregation so I assembled the needed items at home for mine. Great grandson, three year-old Riley, helped me pack blessing bags for my car. These bags won’t change the plight of the homeless in our city, but they can bring comfort to individuals at least for a few moments. Like the drops of water on a stone, every drop makes a difference.

Our city is building tiny shelters so that people with no homes will have safety, warmth shelter for the night, and a door that locks. It’s so easy to take for granted our warm homes, our safe places. We don’t have to carry our every possession everywhere we go. We are blessed. We need to share.

Jesus said, “I was hungry and you fed me.” Remember, he’s there in everyone we meet.