After sidewalk counseling yesterday morning, Ruth was explaining to Claire, Mark and I about the idea of "Angel Bags" she had recently heard about as a way to more effectively serve the homeless. Instead of giving money (which, as you know, too often gets spent in spurious ways) a few churches and individuals have started sharing "Angel Bags" with the desperately needy. Ruth has even put together a couple of bags which she keeps in her car ready for giving away.What would be included in a great "Angel Bag"? Well, listed below are a few suggestions she passes along. You can select from among these items respective to the season and to your purpose. For instance, sometimes a smaller, more immediate "Angel Kit" might be in order whereas in others a more substantial "Angel Bag" is needed. And, when possible, I would add the suggestion that your ministry to the desperately needy be undertaken with others, preferably a church or an established ministry organization.
Here's the possible items to include: a coat; a blanket or two; a stocking cap and/or earmuffs; socks; packages of instant soups or rice; a shirt; gloves; tins of canned meat; cracker and cheese packets; nutrition bars; coupons to a fast food restaurant; a toothbrush; soap bars and shampoo (Ruth used complimentary samples from her stays in hotels); and a gospel tract or two...maybe even a brief testimony of your own conversion to Christianity.
(Tip: Ruth uses "Step Up to Life," a very efficient explanation of the gospel designed many years ago by Elmer Murdoch. The tract now is offered in dozens of languages and a variety of very nifty specialized versions (i.e., for bikers, triathletes, hunters, travelers, and more.) You can check out "Step Up to Life" at their website here.)
