Community Outreach

Manna Bags

Do you get frustrated because you don't know what to do to help the person at the busy intersection holding a sign and asking for help?  Do you hesitate to make eye contact because you feel guilty?  Or do you start to give money but then change your mind because you can't be sure how the money will be spent?  Perhaps thoughts go through your mind, like why that person doesn't just spend his/her time looking for a job or if their story is even real.  If you help, will you be scammed?

Reality is, nobody can fix every problem, but that's nothing to feel guilty about.  And it's true that we can never be sure if that stranger is telling the truth or planning to spend donated money on food or water or other life essencials.  That's not really something we can control, is it?

What if you had something right there in your car that you could reach over and give to someone in need?  What if you could roll down your window, make eye contact, smile, and give them a gift that every single human being values?  Nutritious food, water, a little something sweet, and something to clean up with.  It's called a Manna Bag. 

Manna Bags can be assembled quickly at home with a variety of supplies, placed in a box in the back seat of your car, and available to give to anyone who asks for help or just looks like they could use a lift.  Manna Bags are a convenient way to help when you're not sure what the best help would be.  And no matter who we are or what our story is, everybody has to eat.

Give a smile, a Manna Bag, and let somebody know you'll say a prayer for them.  You can make a difference!

Here are some ideas for Manna Bag ingredients:

Granola/Breakfast/Nutrition Bars, bottled water, fruit or vegetable drink pouches or boxes, cracker and cookie packages, hard candy, fruit cups, dried fruit, small pop-top cans of meat and/or fish, nuts, large re-sealable plastic bags, moist toilettes.

Pack individual servings, no glass, non-perishables only.