By Mersades Freelove
The term homeless is defined as: An individual with no permanent living arrangement, i.e., no fixed place of residence. As of 2022, there were approximately over 500,000 homeless people living in the United States, this makes up for about 18% of the population, and this statistic only increases every year. These unfortunate people lack not only homes, but basic necessities as well. These statistics are dispiriting, yet this sad fact of life served as a call to action for a Guyer high school student.
Chase Smith, a junior student at Guyer, saw a problem in the world with the high rates of people living on the streets, and set out to make a difference within his community. A couple years ago, after hearing a talk at his church, on the subject of homelessness, he was inspired to help. He started buying and donating items that homeless shelters were desperately needing. Since that time, Smith had been encouraged to keep helping the shelters. He is now formally collecting donations for this cause. “I have a hunger to help people and serve others,” Smith says, “At the end of the day, that’s my end goal, just to help those in need,” he added.
Donations are collected at Guyer, from family, friends, and even from random individuals who identify themselves with Smith’s project. He place all goods and items into bags to be delivered to homeless shelters and/or handed out to people living on the streets. These packs inspired the name for the project “Brightness Bags”. Each bag contains water bottles, granola bars, fruit snacks, a pair of socks, a variety of toiletries, and a kind note for the recipient. “These bags are supposed to be filled with hope. They are going to be a source of brightness for those that get them,” Smith explained.
The kind note Smith includes in every Brightness Bag has a great significance for him. “The items they receive are encouraging enough, but the words offer hope, a source of light, and faith in the future” he explains. Smith went ahead and designed a logo and a slogan for his Brightness Bags, to create a long lasting connection with people and inspire them to join in his cause. “I accept anything, snacks, toiletries, or any other necessities. I just need people willing to help and contribute.” he ended.
The Brightness Bags project has set a goal to make 200 bags to donate to Our Daily Bread, a Christian relief program located in Denton. They are still in need of deodorant, soap, socks, baby wipes, nail clippers, juice, pens and snacks. The deadline for donations has been extended to April 28th.
To further his goals, Smith plans to expand his operation. “My goal is to have some sort of club in Guyer by next school year.” Even with something as small as the Brightness Bags, he is fighting to make a change in the world. When asked if he thinks that his efforts are helping. He answered, “I hope I am!”
Anyone interested in helping this cause can do it by bringing donations to Mr. Guzman’s (room-B128) or Ms. Magallon’s classrooms (room-B157). They are currently serving as teacher sponsors to the Brightness Bags program.
