It started with one simple idea.
Hi, I'm Jacqueline Waldman, a sophomore at Shaker High School. The idea for the Blessing Bag Initiative started long before I had a name for it. Every year around the holidays, my parents and I took part in gift-giving drives at my elementary school, bringing in things that families in our community needed. I was little, and I didn't fully understand what we were doing, but I understood that we were giving something to people who didn't have it.
Looking back, those moments shaped me more than I realized at the time. They taught me to notice the small things I had — a toothbrush, a warm coat, a hot meal — and to recognize that not everyone wakes up with those. The more I grew up, the more I wanted to do something of my own. Not just participate in something, but build something.
That's how this started. What began as a small project has grown into over 350 blessing bags delivered to neighbors experiencing homelessness across the Capital Region. Each bag is filled with everyday essentials — and a hand-written note, because sometimes the most powerful thing we can offer is a reminder that someone cares. This isn't just about toiletries. It's about dignity, kindness, and showing up for our community in real, tangible ways.
