Blessing Bags

I was reading on my one of my favorite blogs the other day and saw this idea. I was moved to make a couple of these to take along to the Pittsburgh Pirates game that our church's Young Adult class was attending last evening. I only spent probably $7-8 each on them. I included some toiletry freebies or almost freebies(from my past deals and hotel complimentary items), fast food coupons from the newspapers, a Bible from the Dollar Store, a few packaged snack items from our pantry, and a $5 giftcard to McDonalds.

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Mike and I handed both of them out within the first block on our walk back to our parked car after the game. We didn't stay and talk but simply said "Here's a little something for you." We pray that the Lord led those two particular individuals to us and that they may be touched in some way spiritually through our small act.

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I know that I often fail to reach out to share the gospel with others and sometimes don't know what to do when coming across needy/homeless people on the street. From living in the city, I know just handing them money isn't always the best thing to do, and, inviting them to share lunch with you or engaging in a long conversation with them isn't always practical. So, this is an idea for how you may be able to touch their lives in a different way...I thought it was kinda cool :)

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If you'd like to make your own Blessing Bags, this is what you would need: (This is from the above blog post with a few of my own changes/additions)

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Gallon size Ziploc bags along with items to go in the bags, such as: (Watch for these items…on clearance, weekly sales, in the travel size section, free samples by mail or $ store)

chap stick

packages of tissues

toothbrush and toothpaste

comb

soap or shampoo (double bag soap to contain the fragrance)(like I said hotel complimentaries are good)

snacks such as granola bars, crackers, snack packs of fruit, instant oatmeal (include a plastic spoon)

band aids

warm socks, gloves

bottle of water

laundry soap and some quarters

gift card for fast food or grocery store, pharmacy, Goodwill, etc or a bus pass

*Consider whether or not the homeless individual may/may not have access to a homeless shelter where there would be running water/showers.

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Assemble all the items in the bags, and be sure to add a note of encouragement or consider a pocket sized Bible, maybe a copy of "Our Daily Bread," information about a local church or places the individual can receive additional help. Seal the bags and stow in your car for a moment of providence. Pray about these from the time you gather the items to include in the bags through the time after they have been handed out.

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Even if you can’t afford to fill a few complete bags of your own since these items do add up quickly if you pay full price, this would be a great activity to do with some other families. Break it down so that each family could bring one or two of the items going into the bags (ex: toothbrushes).