Kevin the Hedgehog
Buy a Bar project
We could provide a bag of basic toiletries and things, which could be accessible at the hospital start – they thought it was a great idea! ‘The big thing we went for is that the bags need to be accessible 24/7. We were so concerned that they’d be locked in somebody’s office. So the area we’ve got is accessible to the Red Cross, A&E and mental health services, which means the bags are ready for anybody who needs them.’ After setting up at the hospital, the ministry quickly expanded. Care Kitbags are now being given out through St Martins Housing Trust, Pathways, the YMCA and Shelter. Over the Christmas period, the team again got thinking. Pat was struck with the harsh reality of Christmas without a home or family. ‘We took some bags to St Martins and asked what happens there at Christmas. The lady explained
Richard and Pat Thorpe
Snowmen how they try to give everybody a gift and we came away thinking that there must be something we could do. But it’s an expensive time of year; people already have presents to buy and everything’s gone up in price. We didn’t feel like we could ask for another load of bags. ‘That’s when we had another God-given idea: we called it Buy a Bar. We asked corps members and the WI to simply buy and wrap a 200g bar of chocolate and write a message of love on the front. I got back to St Martins and asked if 75 bars would be enough and they said it would not only cover both hostels but also the emergency bed hostel. ‘It’s something that people felt they could do. It cost less than £2 and showed people that we care. We don’t always know what to do, and we can’t change things by ourselves, but together we can make a little bit of a difference.’ In the end, the team took 147 bars of hand-wrapped and signed chocolate – weighing almost 30kg – to St Martins, delighting the staff and guests. ‘During the Covid-19 lockdowns, the Care Kitbags have given the corps and
Kitbags for St Martins friends an opportunity to care as they put these bags together,’ says corps officer Major Paul Robinson. ‘When people come to the corps for help, an immediate supply is available, enabling those in need to be supported.’ A member of the British Red Cross at the hospital spoke about an encounter they had: ‘A gentleman experiencing homelessness came in asking for help and a hot drink. I took his details and arranged hostel accommodation and he left with one of your bags. He was taken aback by what was in it. It’s really good to have been able to give him something “special”.’ Sadly, after igniting the spark of the ministry, Maurice was promoted to Glory on 6 October last year. But, by the power of his passion, concern and care, he leaves behind a beautiful lasting legacy that continues to make the world a better place, one bag at a time.
SIMON IS EDITORIAL ASSISTANT, SALVATIONIST Salvationist 19 February 2022
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