The Buddha Bag Project

by Kalen

Several years ago I made a quiet vow that I would never pass a homeless person without giving them something or sharing whatever I had. Once, all I actually had in the car was a bag of potato chips. But when I handed them to the man, his face lit up and he very gleefully thanked me. I have pretty much kept my vow but wonder (as I’m sure most of us do) if money we give is actually is just used to buy drink or drugs. And maybe if I was homeless, all I would want is something to help me escape the reality of my day also?

My mother recently moved to a retirement community on South Grand in St. Louis. I make a lot of trips to her new home to bring her “supplies” and I’ve noticed lots of homeless standing at the highway exit on Grand. I started keeping money handy so I could quickly pass it threw the window. Then I thought “wouldn’t it be better if I handed them a bag of food?”

So I contacted a bunch of friends and said, “Why don’t we get together and assemble bags of stuff that we could hand to these people.” Everyone thought it was a great idea and I think we all went shopping.

I went to Costco and found those little cans of Vienna sausages (I’m vegetarian but I’m pretty sure those people I see are not), peanuts, fruit cups, trail mix bars, pudding cups, etc. Another woman gathered plastic dinnerware and sanitary hand wipes and napkins. One of the guys got stocking caps and the project began. There were about 8 of us the first “bagging day”.

We wrapped the dinnerware in the napkins, put the napkins in a plastic zip lock bag, added hand wipes and put one of these in each of the bags we were preparing. We planned on making 40 bags but ran short. So one of the “baggers” pulled out some money and we went shopping and got more stuff. What fun. Everyone grabbed about 5 bags and took them with them at the end.

The idea is not to actively seek out homeless, but rather have the bags in your car and when you see someone – you just reach for a bag to give them. You can add money if you wish or not. You never leave your car or put yourself in any danger – you just pass the bags out the window to these people.

Soon everyone started getting creative with ideas on what could go into the bags. One person had received gift certificates to Walmart for his children for Christmas but refused to let them shop at Walmart. So he donated these to use. We were hoping to buy blankets but found the blankets were too expensive. We ended up buying thermal socks, hats, and soap and washcloths. My dentist donated sample tubes of toothpaste and I found toothbrushes (4 for $1) at the dollar store. Another friend sent us a sizable donation to help with the project and there was no stopping us.

We had a second “bagging” session and the food items expanded and some were “nixed”. The first time we tried apples and oranges but found if we didn’t get rid of the bag within a week, the fruit started getting nasty. We added small bottles of water and those boxes of fruit juice. Pretzels made the “basic food groups” list and we found many other things. Soon we had another 40 bags ready for departure.

Some people donated sleeping bags and blankets and we have been giving them out with the bags also. With the clearance sales, we have found stocking caps for only 50 cents and those “one size fit all” swami gloves, 2 pair for 74 cents. We found packages of paper handkerchiefs (10 for $1 at the dollar store). I found chocolate Santa’s on sale after Christmas for only 10 cents each. But best of all, one of our members is making neck scarves out of fleece remnants.

A neat thing has happened. I found I have made many new friends. The homeless on South Grand recognize my car and come over to me now. At first, they were very puzzled when I handed them a bag but now they know what they are. For our next bagging, I plan on putting such items at hats, gloves, scarves, etc. in a separate bag so if I see someone I’ve already given a bag to, I can remove this bag and just give them the food. After all, how many hats does one need?

I think we have all learned quite a bit from this practice. Simply put, it make me more aware of how many people are homeless and how fortunate I am to have a home. I used to "not see" the homeless sometimes and now I am ALWAYS actively looking for them. Others in our group report the same phenomena. Buddhist practice is to "wake up" and become aware. To appreciate and to develop compassion. What better way?

Why not start such a project in your community? It’s fun working together doing the bagging and it’s helpful to those in need. When I think about the Buddha, he was a homeless person begging for food. I think these homeless people are also Buddhas!