DEFINITION: Sharing the goods that the Lord has provided, such as groceries, batteries, candles, toiletries, baby needs, paper goods etc., with those in need.

As a church you are probably not going to host a large POD (Point of Distribution) for your whole community, but instead, you CAN focus on the vulnerable population of your community i.e. single moms, the elderly, the disabled, and others who have special needs. The elderly and single moms with little kids should not be spending hours every couple of days waiting in a line for some water and food at a county POD. YOU can go to the POD, fill up a truck and bring the supplies back for them! Many of the poor do not have cars and in a disaster many have lost their cars. PODS are often not set up for those on foot.

With some advance preparation, not only can the people in your congregation collect extra good for their own neighbors that will be in need, but also, as a congregation, you can collect goods to give to those in need when there is a disaster. During the year be picking up camping supplies at garage sales and clearance sales. If there is no disaster? Before Christmas have an outreach in a poor area of your city, hand out your supplies and begin collecting again at the beginning of the year!

Other examples of goods

Some things that you may not have lots of but are very nice to have on hand: These are things you’ll want to have on hand for specific needs.

Note: See information on Hideaway Storage