Church bags to help out homeless

A TASMANIAN church’s generous donation looks set to help dozens of homeless Tasmanians get a better night’s sleep.

As part of its C3 Cares Program, C3 Hobart has finished packing 30 carry bags full of bare essentials, including highgrade sleeping bags, puffer jackets, toiletries and beanies to support Tasmanians sleeping rough. The ‘care packs’ have been donated to Hobart City Mission which will distribute the items as part of the charity’s community support programs.

C3 Associate Pastor Steven Black said the initiative was about “showing an act of kindness for your neighbour”.

“For us as a church, it’s not just about Sunday, it’s about what else we can do to help the community,” he said.

Pastor Shaun White said it was an important time to be helping those less fortunate.

“This time of isolation just further opened up our eyes to those sleeping rough,” he said.

“While many of us are complaining that we’re in isolation, these guys sleep rough all the time, and don’t have support structures that a lot of us do.

“Scripturally it talks about helping those who are less fortunate, and that’s something we want to be able to do.”