More than 2,000 volunteers came together and helped us surpass our goal—packing 7,000 blessing bags for our community. Thank you to every person who served, led, sponsored, and supported the day.
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me."
— Matthew 25:35Every first Saturday, we gather at the McCrorey YMCA, sign in, and pack blessing bags together — shoulder to shoulder, assembly-line style. Then you leave with your bags and go bless someone when the moment finds you.
Choose a date below, pick the one item you'll bring, and show up. We pack together — you leave with bags ready to hand out.
Every first Saturday morning, Stolen Lunches volunteers gather at the McCrorey YMCA. Everyone signs up ahead of time and brings one item — chips, water, snacks, whatever you chose. We pack everything together, assembly-line style, until every bag is full. Then you leave with your bags.
That's where it gets personal. You don't go out as a group. You take the bags with you — in your car, in your daily life — and you hand them out as the moment presents itself. The person on the corner. The neighbor you've been passing for years. The face you've been avoiding because you didn't have anything to give.
Now you have something. Now you can look them in the eye. Now you stop.
We've been doing this every month, without fail, for 12 years. You'll be home by noon.
"The hand-written love letter matters as much as the food. Maybe more. Because it says: I see you. Someone took time for you. You are worth stopping for."
Rain. Cold. Whatever. The first Saturday happens. We don't cancel. We don't reschedule. We pack bags, we leave with them, and somewhere in the city — in a car, on a walk, at a light — someone gets seen. That's been true every month for 12 years.
More than 2,000 volunteers helped pack 7,000 blessing bags at our annual citywide event. See the photos, watch the highlight, and celebrate every organization, sponsor, leader, and volunteer who made it possible.
Drop your info and we'll notify you before the next Charlotte date — plus anything else you need to know to show up ready.