MFT Gives Back – Show Compassion to Others
We’re so excited to introduce to you to something we’ve been working on for awhile. Welcome to our November Promotion — MFT Gives Back!
Since something like this can’t be contained in one week, we’re going to spend time throughout the entire month of November sharing ideas of how YOU can give, share, and show compassion to those around you.
Nothing feels better than giving something and not expecting anything in return. As crafters, we already love to make and share, but we want to broaden your arc of sharing your blessings. We hope you’ll join us in our giving revolution!
Our focus today is on a special way to Show Compassion to Others. The My Favorite Things staff is organizing Blessing Bags for the Homeless, and we’d love for you to join us.
What are Blessing Bags?
Blessing Bags are meant to provide a few necessities and creature comforts for the homeless. The concept is to gather a bag full of things that could bless the recipient, keep it in your car, and when you get the chance, hand it to someone who needs it. Just like that, you’ve been able to give a smile and some TLC to someone who could really use it.
Perhaps you caught our broadcast on Periscope (MFT Periscope: @mftstamps) earlier this week where Customer Service Brianna was at Target gathering supplies for a large assortment of blessing bags. Today, the MFT staff will be stuffing baggies full for the homeless. What a blessing for Central Florida! Be on the look out for a Periscope broadcast later today and see the bag packing in action.
We want you to join us in this special way of giving. For your convenience, we’re providing this list of things that could be put into the bags. You don’t have to feel like you have to have one of everything, but choosing a few items from each category is a safe bet. You can also download and print this list HERE.
I made a trip to the dollar store earlier this week armed with this list, and here’s what I came up with:
Some of these things come in multiples (like the tissues, plasticware, cotton swabs, and comb among other things) so if you want to create several bags, you can divvy things up. It’s also a good idea to put an extra ziploc bag around smelly things (like soap and lotion) that could mar the taste of any food or drink you might include.
You’ll also want to make sure that everything fits into a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. You’ll be amazed with how much can fit! An optional idea is to put things in a purse for a lady.
I’ve included a little note in my bag. Here’s a closer look at it.
We’ve created a free download for you HERE with eight of these cards that you can print and use in your blessing bags.
Now it’s YOUR turn. We’d love for you to download the shopping list and blessing bag cards and fill a few bags yourself. Get the kids involved, too! What a great way to teach about giving. Show us pictures of your shopping and your process on social media using the hashtag #mftgivesback. On Thanksgiving Day, we will share some of the things we caught our followers doing throughout the month.
Want even more ways to give back this month? Be sure to visit our friend Jennifer McGuire in her Share Handmade Kindness Challenge. Here’s a little bit of information about it from Jennifer herself:
Part of the joy of creating a handmade card or gift is giving it to someone to brighten their day—a simple act of kindness that can have a lasting impact. To encourage these acts of kindness, I am hosting the Share Handmade Kindness Challenge. Throughout the month of November, I’ll be challenging you to share an act of handmade kindness with someone. Whether you make a card, a note, or a treat… anything handmade counts. Each week there will be a new challenge on my website, as well as special guests, videos, giveaways, and more. I hope you will join me at jennifermcguireink.com and use the hashtag #sharehandmadekindess.
Don’t forget to use #mftgivesback on social media. And enjoy the experience!
We’re feeling thankful for all of you. And we can’t wait to see how YOU give back!