Lynbrook Baptist Church Helps Homeless

The Truth Student Ministry, the youth group at , got a firsthand look at what it's like to help the homeless last Saturday.

The group, made up of 10 teens and four leaders, filled reusable polyester bags with gloves, hats, socks, blankets, sandwiches, water bottles, apples, Bibles and signed Christmas cards. They made up 25 bags with items that were donated by members of the church. The group then took the train into the city and handed out the bags to homeless people that they saw nearby.

"We handed out bags to people we saw sleeping, looking for food or asking for hand-outs," said Greg Anglen, the church's youth minister. "We gave them out as we found people that needed them. Most people were grateful and stunned. It was a real eye-opener for the students. It helped students understand the importance of living out our faith."

Michael Celiberti, 17, a senior at Lynbrook High School and member of the church youth group, said it felt great to help others in a way he had never experienced before.

"I'm not used to doing something like this," he said. "We got a lot of positive reactions. They were grateful and asked me to pray with them. I've donated before, but I've never been one on one helping people in this way. It was a great experience. I would definitely do this again next year."

Tyler Michaels, a 15-year-old 10th grader at Malverne High School and a member of the youth group, agrees.

"Everything's been given to us," Michaels said. "They had to struggle to get what they have and they still barely have anything. This was a great way to show that we care. We're not just hanging around learning the Bible. It felt good to help people in need. I've never done anything like that before."

This was the first year the church has helped out in this way, and there are plans to do it again in the future.