December Daily: Helping the Homeless

This may seem like a strange topic for today, but it's an important one.

The Madison area has just over 3,000 "documented" homeless people...which is just over 3,000 too many.
There was recently a nice article about it in the Capitol Times (HERE) which was pretty impressive.

My church created a Homeless Ministry a little over three years ago, when a homeless man was found dead on our church steps...such a sad thing that became the catalyst for a much needed service.

There is no doubt that times are tough for a lot of people, some are homeless because of mental illness, some from loosing a job, some from substance abuse...many different things led people to their path...and there have become less places for them to turn too with all the budget cuts, etc.

Our ministry meets four days a week, includes a support group with prayer and a lunch...for some, the lunch might be the real draw and they simply set through the rest - but one can always hope that some hope and inspiration sets in.

My big push is the concept of the Blessing Bags. 

Yes, there are food pantries, but a large bag of food is not much help to someone who has no place to put it or way to cook it....a Blessing Bag is portable, and full of things that many of us take for granted.

What is a Blessing Bag?

You start with a one gallon zippy bag and add a few things:

• Warm pair of socks (Costco has a 10 pack bag for $12 and they are GREAT)
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush
• Dental Floss
• Deodorant
• Chapstick
• Single Packs of Laundry Detergent
• Tea Bags/cocoa packets
• Snacks (think apple sauce cups and granola bars)
• Travel Sized Shampoo and Conditioner
• Hand Lotion
• A Comb
• A note reminding them that they are loved.

Having these bags made up -- and randomly passed out each month (so they don't know when it's coming) has been a goal, and I have been the driving force - working with the awesome Pastor Sarah. Next month, I get to let everyone know before each service and have the "wish lists" ready -- so we can have 1,000+ bags ready to go.

You will see a Paypal "donate" button on my blog's sidebar (and below) -- that is if you choose to help my cause. Any amount is welcome, just put "blessing" in the message so I can make sure it gets to the correct place. Make sure you print a copy for your receipt --it's tax deductible. You can also drop off any of those items at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison - at the front desk and tell them it's for Pastor Sarah or bring it to any of my coupon classes.

:)

Blessings to you --