How Stopping at an Intersection Prompted an Idea
According to the recent report on homelessness by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, an estimated 81,515 Ontarians experienced known homelessness in 2024, an increase of 25% since 2022.
Have you ever been at a stop light and been approached by someone in need, or witnessed a person in search of help? It can leave a feeling of helplessness because you often times don’t know how to help.
In this Missional Moment, we speak to two women who were moved into action by creating small bags with essentials and words of encouragement. We asked them some questions about this initiative and how we, as a church, can get involved to support those in need.
Can you tell how this idea came about?
The idea for the Fish and Loaves Prayer Bags was laid upon my (Rachel) heart by the Lord about a year ago. Every time I passed a homeless person at an intersection while driving, I would feel a tug on my heart, a prompting, an impression that I needed to do something to help. But, despite the pull of the holy spirit revealing to me what I could do, I didn’t feel that I was the right person to take action. It took me some time to answer God’s call, even though he had impressed upon me how I was to help.
Finally, I shared the idea with a Christian colleague at work, Janina, and to my relief, she was eager to come alongside me in this ministry. Together, we researched the needs of unhoused individuals and sought to create something that would both be practical and meaningful. Our goal was to stay within a manageable budget for each bag, while also addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those we wanted to serve.
We knew that homeless individuals not only require physical necessities like food and hygiene items, but also the reminder that they are loved by God. We thought about how important it would be for them to hear words of encouragement and hope, and we made sure to include a prayer bookmark and the scripture in each bag. We discussed what we could say when handing the bags out, keeping in mind how we might bring comfort to someone who might feel invisible or abandoned.
After weeks of planning and sourcing the necessary items, Janina and I finally came together to assemble the bags. Each Fish and Loaves Prayer Bag became a symbol of God’s love, hope, and the tangible support we can offer. It took some time, but it was a journey of faith, and I’m so grateful to have seen this vision come to realization. Through this initiative, I believe we can make a difference, one Fish and Loaves Prayer Bag at a time.
Janina Cruzate & Rachel Morash
What barriers currently exist for those who want to help and how will a simple bag break down those barriers?
Many of us have the desire to help others, but taking the first step can feel overwhelming—especially when we encounter someone who is unhoused. We may hesitate, unsure of the best way to offer support. Our grassroots initiative makes it easier for people to help during their daily routines by keeping a Fish and Loves Prayer Bag stored under their car seat, ready to give to someone in need.
Have you ever stopped at a traffic light and seen a homeless person holding a cardboard sign, unsure whether giving money would truly help? We’ve had the same questions and concerns. Homelessness is a complex issue caused by a mix of factors, including lack of affordable housing, eviction, mental health struggles, substance abuse, trauma, and inadequate support services. Once someone is on the streets, finding a way out becomes incredibly challenging.
That’s why our mission is to bridge the gap between intention and action. These Prayer Bags serve as a simple yet meaningful way to connect with people in need during our busy lives. By offering a Prayer Bag and learning the recipient’s name within the timeframe of a stoplight, we show care for our community, share the love and hope of the Gospel, and remind them that they are known and loved by God.
Contents of a Prayer Bag
What impact do you hope it will make in the community?
As the body of Christ, we are called to extend our hands in service, meeting the needs of our neighbors physically, mentally, and spiritually—no matter how small the gesture may seem. “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” — Mark 16:15. While not all of us can travel the world to share the Gospel, we can make a difference right here in our own community, reaching those who live among us.
For Our Church Community – In the busyness of life, it’s easy to overlook opportunities to serve. This initiative provides a simple yet meaningful way for our church to embody Christ’s love in action.
For the Unhoused People We Meet – Even a brief interaction can bring a moment of hope. While we may not change someone’s entire situation in an instant, even so a small act of kindness—a shared moment, a caring gesture—can remind them that they are seen, valued, and not forgotten.
How can Compass Point help to get these Fish and Loaves Prayer Bags out into the Community?
This is where it gets really simple. As you go about your day, whether you’re running errands, visiting people, or commuting to work, when you are at a stoplight and see someone with the cardboard sign asking for help, you can take a moment to give one of these prayer bags you will have in your vehicle. Here’s how it works:
Seeing someone in need
As you approach a stoplight, if you see a person who appears to be homeless and in need, roll down your window and engage with them
Ask how you can pray for them
Then, ask if there is anything specific you can pray for them – even if they don’t want to share a request, simply offering prayer can be deeply meaningful. A simple “I’d love to pray for you – do you have something you’d like me to pray for?”
Engage with kindness
It’s important to treat them with dignity. When they approach your car, start by asking their name. This is so crucial because it helps them feel valued as an individual. You’re not just giving them something; you’re seeing them for who they are. You can say, “Hi, what’s your name? My name is _______. It’s really good to meet you”.
Give the fish and loaves prayer bag
After offering a prayer or simply saying you’ll keep them in your prayers, give them the Fish and Loaves Prayer Bag. When giving the bag, you can say something like, “I have a little something for you here. It has some essentials that I hope will help you today. Inside there is some encouragement for you to know that you’re not forgotten and that God loves you.”
Visit Fish and Loaves Website
How You Can Help
Tracking and Sharing Your Prayers: Once you’ve handed out the Fish and Loaves Prayer Bag, you can email the details about the interaction to fishandloavesprayerbags@gmail.com
Here’s what you can include in your email:
Location: Where you gave out the bag (e.g., intersection of Brant Street and North Service Road in Burlington).
The Person’s Name (if shared): This helps us know who to pray for and if our community has spoken to them before.
Prayer Request (if shared): If they shared something specific to pray for, include it so that we can pray more intentionally for them.
A Brief Note About the Interaction: If you felt led to say anything specific or had a meaningful exchange, let us know.
If you would like to get involved in other ways, such as putting bags together, supporting or handing out a bag, fill out the form below: