Operation: Blessing

Last year, your generosity allowed us to prepare a total of 75 bags for our local homeless - 25 of which went to our local Stepping Stones Domestic Violence Shelter, along with 25 Christmas stockings for the children in their care. This year, we are hoping to increase that outreach by making even more bags for the homeless, and still reach the continually-rotating residents at Stepping Stones (up to 50 adults and children). 

When we began this ministry in 2019, the average cost was approximately $15 per bag. Since then, due to the rising costs of resources, we've tried to maintain the total expense at $20 per bag. God has truly blessed CCPV in this endeavor, and because He is the One we are working for (and alongside!) as we carry out His Great Commission, we do not take that for granted.

This year, we've decided to try something different: pre-assembled backpack kits, specifically geared towards the homeless population. This concept is more cost-effective an basically helps us avoid having to start from "square one" by purchasing the necessary items individually. Not only do we provide the basic hygiene and health essentials, but we also include protein snacks, bottled water, blankets, ready-to-eat meals, and simple publications that offer hope and help through Jesus. 

Our church has several members who selflessly minister to the homeless every Sunday afternoon, providing light meals, offering prayers, and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. The 50 to 75 bags we prepare will be distributed to those in the Quad-City area without a warm home - especially families affected by unprecedented flooding resulting from heavy rainfall in our area during 2026.

Adult residents of the Stepping Stones Safe Shelter will receive Blessing Bags that are more-streamlined for their particular hardship. When these women (and some men) took the step to find safety and relief, they had to leave their homes with only the bare minimum in-tow (if anything at all). So, we like to provide them with personal care items, warm socks and gloves, inspirational booklets, and other basics to help them feel cared-for and try to make their situation seem better than their "new normal". Kiddos at the Shelter (ranging in age from newborn to 18 years) receive Christmas stockings filled with age-appropriate snacks, activity/prayer books, and Christ-themed Christmas crafts. All of the bags and stockings are delivered to Stepping Stones just before Christmas, and are then given on Christmas morning to the children, women (and a few men!) residing in either the Safe Shelter or the Transitional Housing.

Monetary donations are always accepted here on our website, and a special offering will be collected during November church services. A sample tote is available each Sunday for anyone curious to see exactly what goes into each bag. We are so very grateful for your donations and/or participation in this outreach as we work together to bring joy to others in our community this holiday season.

As we have been blessed, we will bless others.