A Double Blessing: How a Simple Bag Is Changing Lives, One Hello at a Time
Summer is coming to the Grand Strand-and with it, the familiar surge of visitors, seasonal workers, and transient individuals who swell our coastal community from Memorial Day through Labor Day. For those of us who serve at Hope’s Kitchen, that seasonal shift means one thing with quiet certainty: more people in need will cross our path. More faces at intersections. More individuals camping near the waterway. More vulnerable neighbors who have traveled far from home and have no safety net to catch them when things go wrong.
That is precisely why Cheryl has applied for a grant to carry our Blessing Bag ministry through this high-volume season-May 1 through August 31. Because when the need increases, so must our readiness. And the Blessing Bag is one of our most immediate, most personal tools for meeting people right where they are.
There is a one-gallon zip-lock bag sitting in the back seat of your car. Or maybe it’s tucked into your golf cart, or on a shelf near your front door — right where you can grab it quickly. Inside, carefully packed, are sunscreen, a snack, water, a pair of socks, a Gideon New Testament, a personalized note from Hope’s Kitchen, and an invitation card with all the details of our Tuesday evening ministry. That little bag has a name — and it carries a lot of love.
What’s Inside — and Why It Matters
Our Blessing Bags are assembled with intention. Each item is chosen because our vulnerable neighbors are people with real, tangible needs — and because the God we serve cares deeply about meeting those needs in practical ways. Every bag contains:
Every person who receives a bag on a street corner or in a parking lot is also a soul for whom Christ died. They deserve to know there is a community that cares — one that gathers every Tuesday evening with a warm meal, open arms, and a full range of wraparound services to help them find a pathway forward.
A Door to Transformation
The Blessing Bag is intentionally designed to be a conversation starter — but it is also far more than that. When a volunteer places a bag in the hands of someone living on the streets or struggling in poverty, they are not simply offering supplies. They are extending a personal invitation to Hope’s Kitchen, where every guest is welcomed with respect, dignity, and the love of Jesus Christ.
For many recipients, that first Blessing Bag encounter becomes a bridge to comprehensive care. At Hope’s Kitchen, guests have access to:
The Blessing Bag is the beginning of that journey. A small act of generosity that opens a door to transformation.
The Double Blessing
One of our volunteers put it beautifully and simply: “It’s a double blessing — it blesses the receiver, but even more so the giver.” There is something that happens in the human heart when we stop the car, step out onto the sidewalk, and approach someone who may have felt invisible to the world passing by. Eyes meet. A name is exchanged. A bag is offered. And in that brief encounter, something of the Kingdom of God breaks through.
Volunteers consistently report the transformative joy of serving as the hands and feet of Christ. We do not give Blessing Bags merely to receive a blessing in return — but that is exactly what happens. And for the recipient, the physical provisions combined with a personal message of hope bring both material and spiritual nourishment in a moment when they may feel forgotten.
An Invitation to Go Further
We encourage every volunteer and supporter to keep one or two Blessing Bags readily available — in your car, your golf cart, your home — so that when you encounter someone in need, you are prepared to respond. When you see someone on the street holding a sign, sitting on a bench with nowhere else to go, resist the impulse to drive past or simply hand out cash. Consider parking, stepping out, and making the kind of face-to-face connection that no amount of money can replicate.
These simple interactions regularly spark meaningful conversations about faith — natural, Spirit-led opportunities to share the hope found in Jesus Christ. There is no ministry more powerful than the one that looks another person in the eye, offers something tangible, and lets them experience — even for a few minutes — that they are seen, valued, and loved. That is not social work. That is the Gospel in action.
Community in Action
Behind every Blessing Bag is a community that made it possible. Alan and Karen Shaw coordinate the production of our Blessing Bags with remarkable dedication, and they’ve built a wonderful team of willing hands to help. We are especially grateful for the bright and energetic residents from The Legacy Assisted Living facility in Little River who have joined the effort — a beautiful reminder that the desire to serve does not diminish with age, and that ministry belongs to every willing heart.
Our ministry is growing. We currently distribute approximately 50 plus bags per month, with demand continuing to rise as our community partnerships and volunteer network expand. To ensure the ministry bus remains fully stocked and the program can grow, Cheryl's work on the grant application to fund the Blessing Bag program, through the busy summer season is essential. That kind of behind-the-scenes stewardship — the planning, the paperwork, the faithful management of resources — is every bit as essential as the moment the bag is handed over on a street corner.
What It Takes to Keep the Bags Coming
Sustaining and growing this ministry requires approximately $500 per month — roughly $6,000 annually — to cover both purchased and donated items. Every dollar invested in the Blessing Bag program is a dollar invested in human dignity, community wholeness, and the spread of the gospel.
Will You Be Part of the Blessing?
For many guests, the bag they receive on a street corner or in a parking lot is the first time in a long time that someone has looked them in the eye and treated them as a person of worth. That moment matters. It plants a seed. And Hope’s Kitchen is there to help it grow — through relationships, resources, and the life-changing message of Christ’s love.
If you’re looking for a ministry that is simple, portable, and immediately personal — one that fits in the back seat of your car and opens the door to a real human connection — we invite you to pick up a few Blessing Bags and carry them with you this week.
You may find, as our volunteers have, that the person who receives the greatest blessing is the one who gives it away.
To get involved with the Blessing Bag ministry, contact Alan and Karen Shaw or join us any Tuesday to experience ministry in action.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”- Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Weekly Schedule:
Monday Morning: Join the setup crew from 8:45 am until 10:30 am
Tuesday Evening:
News and Notes
Paul Farmer, a longtime Hope's Kitchen guest, will be our worship leader on April 21. Paul will share his musical talents and a personal message of inspiration. Please join us if you can.
Hope's Kids continues to experience growth and is having a strong impact on the children in attendance. The energy and excitement is a blessing for our children and leaders.
Thank you to Chris Mancuso for coordinating the Voucher program for our guests at Noah's Ark Baby Shop in North Myrtle Beach. Guests in need will be provided "baby bucks" for shopping. When making donations to Noah's Ark, please indicate Hope's Kitchen Mission, for credit toward the "baby bucks" fund.
Prayers and Praises
Hope's Kitchen Mission
Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church
410 6th Avenue South
North Myrtle Beach,SC 29582
hopeskitchenmission@gmail.com
oceandrivechurch.org/hopes-kitchen
That is precisely why Cheryl has applied for a grant to carry our Blessing Bag ministry through this high-volume season-May 1 through August 31. Because when the need increases, so must our readiness. And the Blessing Bag is one of our most immediate, most personal tools for meeting people right where they are.
There is a one-gallon zip-lock bag sitting in the back seat of your car. Or maybe it’s tucked into your golf cart, or on a shelf near your front door — right where you can grab it quickly. Inside, carefully packed, are sunscreen, a snack, water, a pair of socks, a Gideon New Testament, a personalized note from Hope’s Kitchen, and an invitation card with all the details of our Tuesday evening ministry. That little bag has a name — and it carries a lot of love.
What’s Inside — and Why It Matters
Our Blessing Bags are assembled with intention. Each item is chosen because our vulnerable neighbors are people with real, tangible needs — and because the God we serve cares deeply about meeting those needs in practical ways. Every bag contains:
- Non-perishable, easy-open food items for immediate nutritional support
- Essential toiletries and personal care products
- Socks and weather-appropriate supplies — sunscreen, bug spray, and more
- A Gideon New Testament Bible and Daily Bread devotion for spiritual nourishment and gospel access
- A personalized note from Hope’s Kitchen
- Information about our Tuesday evening ministry and local community resources
Every person who receives a bag on a street corner or in a parking lot is also a soul for whom Christ died. They deserve to know there is a community that cares — one that gathers every Tuesday evening with a warm meal, open arms, and a full range of wraparound services to help them find a pathway forward.
A Door to Transformation
The Blessing Bag is intentionally designed to be a conversation starter — but it is also far more than that. When a volunteer places a bag in the hands of someone living on the streets or struggling in poverty, they are not simply offering supplies. They are extending a personal invitation to Hope’s Kitchen, where every guest is welcomed with respect, dignity, and the love of Jesus Christ.
For many recipients, that first Blessing Bag encounter becomes a bridge to comprehensive care. At Hope’s Kitchen, guests have access to:
- Personal care services, including haircuts and showers, that restore a sense of dignity
- Basic medical care provided by caring volunteers and healthcare partners
- Government benefits enrollment assistance, connecting guests to the support for which they qualify
- Our Navigation Hub, offering individualized guidance toward job placement, stable housing, and a wide network of community resources
The Blessing Bag is the beginning of that journey. A small act of generosity that opens a door to transformation.
The Double Blessing
One of our volunteers put it beautifully and simply: “It’s a double blessing — it blesses the receiver, but even more so the giver.” There is something that happens in the human heart when we stop the car, step out onto the sidewalk, and approach someone who may have felt invisible to the world passing by. Eyes meet. A name is exchanged. A bag is offered. And in that brief encounter, something of the Kingdom of God breaks through.
Volunteers consistently report the transformative joy of serving as the hands and feet of Christ. We do not give Blessing Bags merely to receive a blessing in return — but that is exactly what happens. And for the recipient, the physical provisions combined with a personal message of hope bring both material and spiritual nourishment in a moment when they may feel forgotten.
An Invitation to Go Further
We encourage every volunteer and supporter to keep one or two Blessing Bags readily available — in your car, your golf cart, your home — so that when you encounter someone in need, you are prepared to respond. When you see someone on the street holding a sign, sitting on a bench with nowhere else to go, resist the impulse to drive past or simply hand out cash. Consider parking, stepping out, and making the kind of face-to-face connection that no amount of money can replicate.
These simple interactions regularly spark meaningful conversations about faith — natural, Spirit-led opportunities to share the hope found in Jesus Christ. There is no ministry more powerful than the one that looks another person in the eye, offers something tangible, and lets them experience — even for a few minutes — that they are seen, valued, and loved. That is not social work. That is the Gospel in action.
Community in Action
Behind every Blessing Bag is a community that made it possible. Alan and Karen Shaw coordinate the production of our Blessing Bags with remarkable dedication, and they’ve built a wonderful team of willing hands to help. We are especially grateful for the bright and energetic residents from The Legacy Assisted Living facility in Little River who have joined the effort — a beautiful reminder that the desire to serve does not diminish with age, and that ministry belongs to every willing heart.
Our ministry is growing. We currently distribute approximately 50 plus bags per month, with demand continuing to rise as our community partnerships and volunteer network expand. To ensure the ministry bus remains fully stocked and the program can grow, Cheryl's work on the grant application to fund the Blessing Bag program, through the busy summer season is essential. That kind of behind-the-scenes stewardship — the planning, the paperwork, the faithful management of resources — is every bit as essential as the moment the bag is handed over on a street corner.
What It Takes to Keep the Bags Coming
Sustaining and growing this ministry requires approximately $500 per month — roughly $6,000 annually — to cover both purchased and donated items. Every dollar invested in the Blessing Bag program is a dollar invested in human dignity, community wholeness, and the spread of the gospel.
Will You Be Part of the Blessing?
For many guests, the bag they receive on a street corner or in a parking lot is the first time in a long time that someone has looked them in the eye and treated them as a person of worth. That moment matters. It plants a seed. And Hope’s Kitchen is there to help it grow — through relationships, resources, and the life-changing message of Christ’s love.
If you’re looking for a ministry that is simple, portable, and immediately personal — one that fits in the back seat of your car and opens the door to a real human connection — we invite you to pick up a few Blessing Bags and carry them with you this week.
You may find, as our volunteers have, that the person who receives the greatest blessing is the one who gives it away.
To get involved with the Blessing Bag ministry, contact Alan and Karen Shaw or join us any Tuesday to experience ministry in action.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”- Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Weekly Schedule:
Monday Morning: Join the setup crew from 8:45 am until 10:30 am
Tuesday Evening:
- Meal Preparation and Final Setup will begin at 4:00 pm
- Volunteer meeting at 4:45 pm.
- Doors open to guests at 5:30 pm.
- Worship Service 6:00 pm until 6:30 pm.
- Dinner is served at 6:30 pm.
- Clean up, storage, and organization 7:15 pm
News and Notes
Paul Farmer, a longtime Hope's Kitchen guest, will be our worship leader on April 21. Paul will share his musical talents and a personal message of inspiration. Please join us if you can.
Hope's Kids continues to experience growth and is having a strong impact on the children in attendance. The energy and excitement is a blessing for our children and leaders.
Thank you to Chris Mancuso for coordinating the Voucher program for our guests at Noah's Ark Baby Shop in North Myrtle Beach. Guests in need will be provided "baby bucks" for shopping. When making donations to Noah's Ark, please indicate Hope's Kitchen Mission, for credit toward the "baby bucks" fund.
Prayers and Praises
- Praise reports – * Tom Nordstrom was able to be with us this week! * Nolan had a good visit with his dad over spring break.
- Remember Barbara in prayer. She is having knee surgery on June 8.
- Pray for Beth and her brother, Johnathan. He is on the liver transplant list.
- Pray for Arnold and his family as he continues to recover from his transplant surgery.
- Pray for our Hope’s Kids program and Cindy N. as she and her team minister to our children.
- Remember Shari as she had dental work done.
- Flash asks for prayers for his brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Karen, who were in a bad car accident.
- Pray for Connie who fell last month and had to have surgery. She is in rehab now.
- Pray for Nolan’s stepfather.
- JoAnne asks for prayer for her IRS refund and her job interview at Publix.
- Remember Mike Dietz in prayer. He was admitted to the hospital 4/11 with Parkinson’s and dementia. He is very confused and having to be restrained. Pray he can find 24/7 care as he needs continuous observation and help.
- Continue to pray for Christine Cox, of Greg Rowles Theatre, as she continues her chemo infusions until August.
- Remember the family and friends of Doug Winstead who died in a wreck recently. He was a member of the “Band of Oz”.
- Keith’s friend, John, and his family need prayers as they are dealing with family medical challenges and a calling to establish a ministry in Panama.
- Remember Carla C. in prayer.
- Pray for Celene and her family as they prepare for a trip to Ireland May 6-23.
- Lisa McMurtry asks for prayers for herself and her daughters, Mercede and Raynah. Also pray for their health, financial stability, getting jobs, and meeting people in this area because they don’t have family or friends here.
Hope's Kitchen Mission
Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church
410 6th Avenue South
North Myrtle Beach,SC 29582
hopeskitchenmission@gmail.com
oceandrivechurch.org/hopes-kitchen
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