Good morning, Acorns!
We’ve got a brand-new initiative here at Sweet Oak Collaborative, and the community response so far has been absolutely incredible. We recently had a wonderful idea for a grassroots way we can all look out for our unsheltered neighbors here in the Bryan/College Station area, and we want you to be a part of it.
We are putting together “blessing bags” (gallon-sized hygiene care packs) for unhoused or struggling families in our community!
How You Can Help:
1. Distribute Bags!
Our vision is to equip individuals, families, scout troops, and youth groups with 5 to 10 of these pre-made bags to keep in their cars. When you’re driving around town and see someone who might need one, you can safely hand it out right from your window.
You don’t need to get out of the car or step out of your comfort zone. Just roll down the window, smile, say hello, and offer a bag. That simple interaction in itself is a huge act of service. It’s also a really gentle, impactful way to open up a conversation with young kids about what poverty looks like in our city.
We are currently gathering supplies and building the bags because of all the wonderful interest we’ve received! We will let you know very soon where you can swing by to pick up a batch of bags for your car.
2. Donate Supplies!
Thanks to some amazing early donations, we already have our first wave of blessing bags put together! But with the momentum building, we need your help to keep the supplies flowing.
Since it’s the middle of a hot Texas summer, we are especially looking for travel-size wet wipes, sunscreen, and shelf-stable juices to help people beat the heat.
If you want to contribute, here is what we currently need (travel/small sizes preferred):
- Gallon-size Ziploc bags
- Toothpaste & Toothbrushes
- Deodorant
- Shampoo & Bar Soap
- Wet wipes (high need!)
- Hand sanitizer
- Lotion
- Snacks & Shelf-stable juice packs
- Combs & Nail clippers
- Razors
- Socks
- Washcloths
- Tissues
- Lip balm
- Sunscreen
Drop-Off Details:
You can drop off your donations at our office inside the BVCAP building: 4001 E. 29th St., Suite 175, Bryan, TX 77802
The front desk is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
(Please note the front door is locked during the 12-1 lunch hour!)
Important: Because we aren’t always in office, please leave a sticky note on your donation that says “For Sweet Oak” so the BVCAP staff knows where it goes!
Thank you all so much for stepping up and showing so much love for this project. Stay tuned for the bag pickup locations soon!
