Bum Bags, Part II

The low down on Bum Bags: When we lived in Miami we were approached all the time by bums begging for money.

This poses a dilemma for all us LDS folk: Do you give them money cause your supposed to (or actually do) love your neighbor even though you know they will just by alcohol or drugs or prostitutes with it?

(On a side note that reminds me of the bum in NY who actually had a sign to that effect....guess that's another story:)

So, my mother's brilliant solution was bum bags. It is pretty much just a bag of food and some drinks. When some one came a beggin' mom would pluck a bum bag from the trunk and not worry about alcohol consumption, drug abuse, or any thing else. But her conscious was clear too; she didn't have to turn anyone away.

This time around, I picked food that didn't require a can opener and would be ok to eat even if they couldn't find their way to microwave (in a shelter, I assume?). So, Chef Boyardee ravioli provided some protein and vegetables with a peal back lid. Peanut butter crackers were some starch and protein too. Also fruit cups, raisins, water bottles, and a small package of cookies. We went to the travel section of Walmart and got travel size packages of wet wipes and packages of two one-time use tooth brushes. We debated the deodorant but opted not to stereotype:)

Chris and I put one in each car and have two back ups at home.

Did that cover everything? Happy Bum Bagging!