Helping thy neighbor is one of the basic principles of Christianity and something Loretta Brown not only takes to heart but practices.
For the past few months, Brown has been delivering everyday supply bags to the elderly, who had no idea she was coming. Brown said she took it upon herself to be a blessing to others, and after her first round of deliveries she realized how much they appreciated it. That sparked her fire to do more and make it a monthly deal, creating with it Mary’s Angel Ministries. Brown named it in remembrance of her grandmother, Mary Spencer, who dedicated her life to giving and was loved by all.
Her first month doing it she delivered supplies to 10 people and increased it 20 the second time around. She wants to continue doing more and more but needs the help of others in the form of donations to reach as many people as possible.
“I just want to walk in those footsteps and do what God wants me to do,” she said.
Judy Pierce, who received one of the supply bags Friday morning, said to receive something like that from a total stranger whose sole focus is to help the elderly makes her feel loved and like she’s part of a big family.
“We live in a time now that people very seldom show love and compassion so that means a lot. They show love and compassion and go out of their way so it makes me feel good that somebody really cares,” she said.
Pierce said she had no idea she was going to get the supplies until Brown was at her door with them in hand.
“This is just a blessing from the Lord,” she said. “They show love and compassion and think about the other people. There’s those that say, ‘I’m going to pray for my four and no more,’ but they’re not like that.”
She added that Brown and her associates treat everyone the same way, with respect and compassion.
Brown said seeing the recipients’ initial reactions brings her heart so much joy.
“It’s the little bitty things. To see the smile on their faces, it makes me feel so good and pushes me to want to do more,” she said.
The supply bags contain basic necessities such as toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, cleaning products and hygiene products. All the supplies are either donated by Brown or other community members or purchased with donated money.
Brown has plans to do her biggest giveaway yet Nov. 14, and she wants as many people as possible to get involved. She was hesitant at first to spread what she’s doing because she didn’t want it to appear like she was giving herself a pat on the back. But she wants people to know about it so more can be donated and more people can be helped.
“I want more people to come on in,” she said. “It’s a blessing to see their smiles. It may just be a bag of washing powder and other stuff, but it makes them feel so good.”
Jerri Lynn Mark, who helps deliver food boxes to those in need, called Brown after finding out about what she had been doing to see if she could donate. Brown told Mark that she could donate whatever she would like to so this past month she donated 25 music CDs and 25 gallons of bleach.
“This is her baby, her ministry. I told her every month that I’m able that I’ll donate something different,” Mark said. “My donation for November will be men’s and women’s deodorant. For the next month, December, my plans are toothpaste and different hygiene products. I want to do whatever I can afford to contribute because I think it’s a beautiful thing.”
Mark said she wishes there were more people like Brown that looked out for the elderly because as the elderly’s children grow up and move away, the only people left to help are those around them and the community.
Those interested in donating can contact Brown at (601) 441-3899.
