Serving Others

The following is an article from EFCA Today, Winter 2008/Volume 82
Issue 4, written by Jose Skinner

Homelessness is a constant problem in Reno, Nevada’s homelessness per capita is twice the national average. Some homeless people stand on off-ramps holding signs asking for help. As Christ - followers, what do we do?

Here’s one option: Give them a Manna Bag. It’s a Ziploc bag filled with some daily essentials for those in need - kept in your car for such an occasion. It’s not enough to last them a month, but it might be just enough to get them through the day, like God’s gift of manna to the Isrealites. Most recipients are grateful and suprised that you’re giving them your “lunch.”

This past spring our EFCA church plant (Coram Deo) packed enough bags for each family to have two - one to keep, one to give to a neighbor. Soon, people were asking when we would make more, so we’ve decided to pack these during our potlucks four times a year.

Manna Bags address a real frustration. We are committed to serving the city twice a month (washing cars for free, serving at the AIDS Walk), but homelessness overwhelms us because of the tension between wanting to give to those in need but being concerned about how money might be spent. Most of us were frozen into action, but Manna bags have freed us to act.

Why Manna Bags?
They are an alternative to doing nothing.
They won’t solve the greater problem of hunger, but it is something you can do for one person right now.

What Goes In A Manna Bag?
bottled water, food
socks, gloves
toothbrush/thoothpaste
soap
social-services information
phone card (check the dollar store)
note of prayer