Taking a break from their school days, the Madison County’s home school group gathered on Friday, Jan. 8 at a local church to put together homeless bags for the less-fortunate.
Each family brought something to add to the collection of items that would be packed into gallon zip lock bags and with nine families participating, there were plenty of socks, toothbrushes, mints, oatmeal packets, crackers, granola bars and water bottles to go around.
Aside from practical items that will be used by the individuals that the families pass their bags out to, Bibles and tracts on salvation were included in the mix as well as hand-drawn pictures and notes from the children.
Parents and students alike enjoyed the process of sorting the goods and then packing them into the bags.
The plan for the bags is that each family will take home an allotted amount of their ‘homeless bags’ to keep in their vehicle. As each family travels through Madison, Tallahassee, Valdosta or any other nearby town or city, they will have their bags of goodwill to pass out to a person without a home.
It’s unsure what will go quicker; packing the bags or distributing them. Many hands do indeed make light work, and as the girls and boys in the home school group lined up at the table to fit items into their plastic bags, things like hand sanitizer, mint gum and first-aid kits disappeared fast as they found their place in each of the children’s lovingly created bags.
The event was full of participation as each student packed one or more bags and placed their own hand drawn or written card in the plastic baggies before zipping them up to be given to someone less fortunate.
Creating the bags, while it is fun and enjoyable, also encourages a selfless and giving attitude amongst the students. Thinking of others, they will be keeping an eye out for someone to give their bags to while out in nearby towns and cities.
At the end of the day, 31 complete bags were filled and distributed between the nine participating families.
Along with food, socks and Bibles, hand drawn pictures and notes from each bag’s maker was included. On the left side of the table, pictured from back to front, are: Grayson Brewer and Harriet Brewer. On the right side of the table, pictured from back to front, are: Mackenzie Brewer, Micah Roell and Abby Hunter.
Putting together the bags is a project all ages enjoy and participate in. On the left side of the table, pictured from back to front, are: Devon Roell, Riley Borget, Tyler Grass, Blake Grass and Mackenzie Brewer. On the right side of the table, pictured from back to front, are: Bren Brewer, Marcus Roell and Grayson Brewer.