Compassion in Action

The simple act of creating a care package for someone who needs it is just one way student Chloe Lucas hopes to inspire others to show the love of Christ to those around them.

Chloe Lucas, an undergraduate social work student at George Fox, had visited multiple countries through service and ministry trips, but it wasn’t until she got closer to home that she discovered a simple and tangible way to make a difference in people’s lives. 

On the first day of a discipleship training trip in February of 2024, Lucas’ team hosted a church service in an area of San Francisco heavily populated by homeless people. While setting up chairs, Lucas was struck by the positive hum of chatter around her, and she found herself in an hour-long conversation with a man who told her that the gospel changed his life.

“It was just so encouraging,” Lucas recalls. 

Oftentimes, homeless people can feel ignored, or even belittled, when passersby don’t acknowledge or make eye contact with them. After this experience, Lucas wants to change that. On the ride back from the trip, she worked on a project proposal for the Steinfeldt Peace Studies Scholarship outlining plans for the continuation of this good work. 

“Following Jesus is not just another thing you do to be a part of a social club or for your status,” Lucas says. “It’s quite the opposite. It’s for dipping down into servanthood, following his actual example.” 

The Steinfeldt Peace Studies Scholarship financially supports students pursuing peacemaking projects, which aligns with Lucas’ goal. As one of two students to earn the scholarship for the 2024-25 school year, Lucas is focusing on basic necessities for the homeless community, as she saw demonstrated by fellow volunteers handing out supplies in San Francisco.

Through her work, she says she’s reminded of James 2:15-16: “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?’” 

To encourage both connection and care, Lucas recently hosted a tabling event on campus where she encouraged passersby to purchase care packages. Rather than deliver the packages herself, Lucas wants those who purchased them to keep them until they see someone who needs support, and at that point give the package away and personally connect with that person.

“You can’t emphasize Christ’s love without demonstrating it,” Lucas says. “I know for me personally, I’ve been saying for years, ‘Oh, the next time I see someone, I’ll have something,’ but I never have before this. My hope is that people would open their hearts to the idea of this, and not forsake it.”

Want to make your own care package?

Start with items like…

• Soft protein bars
• Thick socks
• Gift cards to nearby restaurants
• Water bottles
• Beef jerky or pepperoni sticks
• Ponchos
• Protein drinks
• Resource flyers