How One Life Group is Serving those Experiencing Homelessness

On a Sunday morning at Legacy Church, a simple yet powerful act of kindness took shape. With the leadership of one Life Group, church members were provided hygiene packs for the homeless—bags with essential items like socks, water, and wet wipes—each one carrying more than just supplies; they carried messages of love, hope, and the gospel of Jesus Christ.  

A Heart to Serve  

For Andrew and Alyssa Break, the idea began with a simple conviction: Jesus calls us to care for all people, especially those who are often overlooked.  

Shelby VanMaanen, who leads the Community Outreach Team at Legacy, had asked each group to designate "advocates" for specific ministry areas. Andrew and Alyssa Break, who happen to be in Shelby's Life Group, took on the role of "homeless advocates" and brought the hygiene pack idea to life.  

The group tested it first with their own resources, donating and assembling 20 bags together to pass out in their daily lives. "We enjoyed it so much that we wanted to scale it up to the whole church," Shelby said. And that’s exactly what they did. With Legacy's support, supplies were purchased for 150 hygiene packs. One hundred were handed out during a Sunday morning initiative, and the remaining 50 are now available in the atrium throughout the year for members to grab and distribute.  

"We wanted each person who receives a bag to know that they are seen, valued, and loved by Jesus," Andrew said. "A warm pair of socks or a granola bar won’t change their situation overnight, but it can remind them that they are not forgotten."  

Do As Jesus Did  

The heart behind this initiative is twofold. First, to remind those experiencing homelessness that they are not invisible.  

"We believe if Jesus were walking on earth today, these are the vulnerable people groups He would be spending time with," Shelby said. "This is a simple way of being His hands and feet that requires barely any sacrifice at all."  

Second, it’s about breaking down barriers. "There have been so many times I’ve seen someone standing on the side of the road, in extreme heat or cold, and I have nothing to give them, so I find it hard to even make eye contact," Shelby admitted. She continued, "But how dehumanizing is that? These packs break that barrier. They allow for conversation, prayer, even maybe just a name—so that person is no longer just 'the homeless person,' but 'Jason,' 'Maria,' 'Malachi.'"  

How You Can Get Involved  

Want to make a difference like this Life Group? You can assemble your own care kits with your Life Group, family, or friends! These bags are now available in the Legacy Church atrium for anyone who wants to participate. Simply take one to give away or bring a new one to replenish the supply.  

Here’s a simple shopping list to get you started:  
• Socks  
• Travel-size toothpaste & toothbrush  
• Deodorant  
• Wet wipes  
• Granola bars or protein bars  
• Bottled water  
• Hand warmers (seasonal)  
• Band-Aids  
• Chapstick  
• Disposable razors  
• Small notepad and pen  
• Comb  
• Feminine hygiene products (pads only)  
• Handwritten note of encouragement with a Bible verse  

You could even add to the mission: some members plan to carry extra coats in the winter to distribute when needed.  

Share Your Stories  

We’d also love to hear your stories. Did you form a friendship? Did someone share their name? Did you get to pray with someone? Let us know! Let’s continue being the hands and feet of Jesus together—because He cares for every single person, and so do we.  

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