Bags Of Love Ministry
Bringing Comfort, Restoring Dignity, Sharing God’s Love
The Bags of Love Ministry is a compassionate outreach program that provides immediate comfort and essential supplies to children in crisis. Originally established in the United States, this program has spread to Canada, and our church is proud to partner with the Department of Family and Children Welfare to serve vulnerable children in our community.
What is Bags of Love?
Bags of Love are specially prepared care packages tailored to meet the needs of children who have been removed from their homes due to difficult circumstances. These age- and gender-appropriate bags are thoughtfully designed to provide children with a sense of ownership and comfort during a challenging time. The program serves children from ages 0 to 17, with bags created for specific age groups. Each bag contains items suited for either a boy or a girl, ensuring every child receives a package filled with care and intention.
Making a Difference Together
The Bags of Love Ministry is more than just a program—it’s a tangible way to share God’s love with children in their time of need. By meeting both physical and emotional needs, we are helping these children feel valued and cared for, even in the midst of difficult transitions.
Why Bags of Love?
When a child is removed from their home, they often cannot bring personal belongings with them. This can be a frightening and destabilizing experience. Bags of Love serve several important purposes:
Immediate Comfort: Each bag includes a soft stuffed animal to hug and toys or activities to occupy their mind, providing comfort in an unfamiliar setting.
Personal Dignity: Older children appreciate having something they can call their own, reducing the sense of dependence on others.
Practical Support: The bags contain essential items like toiletries, school supplies, and age-appropriate clothing.
What’s Inside a Bag of Love?
Every bag is filled with carefully chosen, high-quality items that cater to the needs of the child’s age group:
Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, comb/brush, shampoo, washcloth, and soap.
For Babies (0-3 years): Baby shampoo, baby cups, plates, washcloths, and other age-appropriate essentials.
School Supplies (4+ years): Pencils, crayons or markers, spiral notebooks, erasers, rulers, and glue sticks. For older students, items like protractors, compasses, and calculators are included.
Comfort Items: Stuffed animals, toys, and books.
Clothing: Recently, we’ve added pajamas to ensure children have clean and comfortable clothing.
How You Can Help
Our Bags of Love Ministry is entirely dependent on the generosity of our community. Here’s how you can support this vital program:
Donate Items: We welcome donations of new items to fill the bags. The most needed items include:
Stuffed animals (new, large enough to provide comfort)
Age-appropriate toys
School supplies
Toiletries
Volunteer: Help us assemble the bags, organize donations, or deliver completed packages to the Department of Family and Children Welfare.
Financial Contributions: Monetary donations allow us to purchase additional items as needed.
