June 8, 2010 Posted By: Mark Merrill

Manna Bags

 

At the Merrill home, we came up with a pretty creative  idea to help those in need. We call them Manna bags…

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  • Linda

    Wonderful idea, thanks! One thing I noticed as you packed the bag…….. no spoon or napkin for the fruit cup. You could purchase the ready made utensil/napkin packs. OR, you could give one of the local fast food joints a way to bless the homeless by asking them to each donate a dozen or so sealed utinsel packages.
    Thanks for you wonderful emails and blog! Linda

  • Aida

    That’s wonderful to do, here in El Salvador are many children asking for money.They are posted in every light of every street almost.Many of them, ask money to buy inhalants and they do it right there.
    I always have a lunch box with snack for my son and daughter,to make them eat something after school.What we do is leave cookies or granola bars,or we bought bread at the bakery and that’s what we give them.
    But is a really nice sugestion to prepare the bag ahead just for the purpose of giving.
    Thank you for the everyday fuel of your articles……I love them!

  • http://www.FamilyMinute.com/ Mark Merrill

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  • http://www.FamilyMinute.com/ Mark Merrill

    Linda, thanks for your great idea about utensils! I appreciate it!

  • Patlayton

    Mark,
    At first glance I thought this title was “Mamma Bags”…I did a double take since I do not allow my children to use the words “Mamma” and “Bag” in the same sentence!
    Just kidding of course.
    Great Idea and a Great Work you and Susan are doing!
    Much love,
    pat

  • Carroll Hester

    great idea – you could also include an index card with a Bible verse on it or a spiritual track

  • Karen

    I love the look of the new blog!

  • http://www.FamilyMinute.com/ Mark Merrill

    Hey Pat. I've never done a mamma bag! Glad you like the new blog. Come back soon.

  • http://www.FamilyMinute.com/ Mark Merrill

    Carroll, that's exactly what I did! Hope everyone does the same. Thanks for visiting!

  • Dexter

    unfortunately, some of those people don't want the bags. only money. some have refused food being handed to them, as they tend to make $100-$150/day standing on the corner in busy intersections.

    i try not to encourage people to stand on the street corners by giving them anything, but instead help out in a soup kitchen, or donate the food to a shelter.

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  • dcjohnso

    I think this approach is better than buying them a cheeseburger and watching the fast food bags accumulate at their feet as they hold their sign “will work for food.” This gives them nonperishable food to take to wherever they are staying. My concern is that if all we are doing is passing a bag of food out our car window to them we miss reaching their emotional needs. Many of these folks have not had someone just sit and listen to them in some time, showing them compassion and love by taking the time to listen and acknowledge their feelings and needs (emphasis on listening not talking). Could we not do better by parking our car, walking the bag to them and asking them to share their story or situation with us with the only agenda being to validate them as a human being and show the love of Christ. Perhaps we would find out some things that we could at least pray about with them and maybe even find a greater need that we can meet then just what is on their sign. The question is “Are we willing to take the time that may be necessary to show this kind of love?”

  • Danandesther

    I think this is a wonderful ideal. I’m going to mention it to our Bible Study Group. My heart goes out to these people on the street and would love to give them something and the word will never return void. Thanks for this video.
    ELM

  • Agd_t2004

    the passing out of food in mr. merrill’s blog was about teaching his kids to be compassionate. but safety should be the first priority and parking in areas surrounded by strangers with different survival habits is way too scary. my friends, along with their kids, regularly volunteer at food lifeline. it’s a safer way to teach compassion without putting the kids in harm’s way.

  • Nancy Pyle Frier

    Mark,
    This is a great idea and I’ve heard of it from a dear friend as well.  I have thought about the money aspect, the trash aspect, and the fact that some of the most unclean looking people are also going to be on the street corners scamming those of us that have the heart to give.  I don’t have the scripture reference at hand, but the verse about God sends the rain and it rains on the deserving and undeserving.  It’s an effort for our flesh to give whether folks are deserving or not, because let’s face it, none of us deserve most of what we’re blessed with.  It’s not for us to judge what we don’t know, and unless we love people right where they’re at on their journey, the love of Jesus in us cannot be displayed.  He first loved us, so we must love the unloveable as we once were :)  
    Nancy

  • Rachel

    I only give them lunch if my heart tells me too. But I would say adding a gospel track and a location for shelter and food, I would be more prepared for each individual by making these bags. They get a little bit of God and somewhere to go. All we do is quickly pass by b/c the light usually changes too fast and these baggies will work just for that purpose. Love it.

  • http://www.FamilyMinute.com/ Mark Merrill

    Thanks Nancy for your thoughts!

  • http://www.FamilyMinute.com/ Mark Merrill

    Rachel, pleased you like the idea and thanks for your input!

  • guest

    I do this already.  I keep granola bars in my car at all times.  Sometimes for my girls but mostly for any homeless people I see asking for food/money.  I have had them refused before and have been asked for money instead. I just tell them that isn’t what I can offer.   My girls love seeing them handed out.