City Magazine November Issue

Love Packet Ministry Providing Kids with Comfort One Packet at a Time Sometimes we forget the joy that giving to others can bring.

Whether it is a brand new car for one’s child that just started college, or simply a warm meal for the underprivileged person we see on the way to work each morning, the old adage of, “It is better to give than to receive” always rings true. For Mary Beth Waters, a cold day at a bus station in March four years ago spurned an idea that follows that saying completely. While waiting at the bus station, she observed a police officer handing out baggies with cookies and candy to waiting passengers. Upon being offered a bag, a light of inspiration struck Mary that she would like to do something similar for children. She went home and spoke with her husband, Garner, as well as her close friend Laura Cook about the idea and they were on board.

Initially, they began Love Packet Ministry from their homes, putting together packets. A friend of theirs saw an article about Love Packet Ministry and approached the church officials at 1st Christian Church, on Wolflin. 1st Christian offered to allow the use of a room for creating the packets, as well as a storage room, and others rooms on an as needed basis. Four years later, Mary, Garner, Laura, and Evelyn Moody continue their work with Love Packet Ministry to help bring some comfort to children in unpleasant situations. They distribute packets to foster care agencies, children’s birthday packets to City Church, victims of fires through the Red Cross, The Bare Foundation, Hope for Tomorrow, World for Children, Carenet Crisis Pregnancy Center, Ronald McDonald House, Washington Street Family Center, and Cornerstone Outreach. In addition, Family Support Services helps direct packets to children involved in domestic violence and sexual assault tragedies. Furthermore, Lubbock Dream Center has had the chance to join with Love Packet Ministry with their “Adopt a Block” program, where volunteers drop off Love Packets to a section that they visit periodically. Love Packet Ministry also had the opportunity to ship 200 packets to under privileged children in the Philippines with the help of the Salvation Army.