Mass. church donates backpacks with Bibles, supplies for police to handout to homeless
December 11, 2021 | Massachusetts
A church in Massachusetts has donated 200 backpacks full of various supplies and Bibles to two police departments to aid the local homeless population.
LifePoint Church of Chicopee, a congregation with around 1,000 worshipers, donated the backpacks on Wednesday to the police departments of Chicopee and Holyoke.
Matt Whitacre, LifePoint’s worship and creative arts pastor, told The Christian Post that the police have a way of distributing the backpacks to the needy.
“The idea is that officers will carry these packs in their cars, and when they come across or have a call involving someone from the homeless community, they can give it to them,” said Whitacre.
“This is important because it helps the homeless community know that people care about them and are thinking about them. It also helps build goodwill between the community and the police force in a time where it’s very difficult to be in law enforcement.”
Each donated backpack contains a Bible, blanket, antiseptic wipes, deodorant, hoodie, hat, gloves, toothbrush and toothpaste.
“We want people to know that their generosity is truly making a difference and changing lives. It’s an amazing and tangible way to be the hands and feet of Jesus,” Whitacre added.
The Chicopee Police Department posted a short statement on its Facebook page Wednesday, giving LifePoint a “big thank you” for the “generous donation.” (Excerpts from the Christian Post)
