Help Bags
You may notice when you walk into Westside that there is a table in the hallway that seems overflowing with various items. These are for our project that we call Help Bags. Many of us feel a deep tension when we consider Jesus' call to give to everyone who asks of us, especially when confronted with those who we think, for whatever reason, might not use what we give them in the best way. As a result, we are experimenting with Help Bags. These are gallon-size bags filled with many items basic to a "regular" life in our culture. Hygeine items, self-care items, and non-perishable food items go into the bags and then we encourage our community to carry these bags in our cars in order to have something to give to those who might need them most, without the ambivalence that comes with deciding to give or not give actual money. It is our hope to be a blessing to the "least of these" in a way that brings dignity and help.
We encourage ANYONE who whishes to help others to take a help bag for free and carry it in your car for those who need help.
If you would like to contribute to the creation of Help Bags, you can purchase 1 or more items on the list the next time you are at the store, or simply look at the boxes at the Help Bag table to see what we need most of.
Help Bag Items
Clean up kit
Shampoo (travel size)
Toothpaste (travel size)
Soap (travel size)
Toothbrush (individually packaged)
Deodorant (male and female)
TP/tissue paper (travel size)
Washcloth (travel size)
Comb
Disposable razor
Gallon sized bags
Socks
Blankets
Foodstuffs
Bottled water
Cheese crackers/peanut butter crackers
Small bag of chips or crackers
Small, non-chocolate candy
