By Bill Cleveland, Dripping Springs, Texas, USA

Moving to a new city always involves surprises. One my wife, Carolyn, and I got when we moved a few years ago was the community activism by the Austin Congregation in Texas. One popular outreach program is the Santa Shop.

It’s a once-a-year event that serves Food for Friendship breakfast guests and neighbors who have economic and social challenges. They come into our sanctuary and “shop” without charge for Christmas gifts.

A longtime worker, Cathy Bennett, said Austin had been feeding homeless and needy people for some time when one member, Sue Nevill, saw an opportunity. The folks who came to the breakfasts didn’t have much money, and Christmas gifts were scarce for them.

The Austin church is in a working-class neighborhood with low-income housing. These were hungry, poor, and forgotten people who needed to know someone cared. Sue wanted to provide more than a Sunday-morning breakfast.

So in 2000 she started the Santa Shop.

She and others began collecting change in coffee cans to buy simple gifts. Then our guests would “buy” these presents with tickets they received as they arrived. Early in the program, the congregation passed out flyers near the church, and word spread. One guest even rode a bus from across town. Children also received tickets.

Some guests shop for themselves; some get gifts for others. Volunteers even wrap the gifts.

Santa Shop volunteers work hard to maximize assets. This includes buying gift cards from Goodwill and getting cash and good used items donated from congregation members, friends, and businesses. Going online to solicit gifts also has helped.

The latest Santa Shop featured six tables overflowing with gifts. More than 100 guests left with big smiles and “Merry Christmas” or “God bless you” on their lips. While we attach no strings to participation, it is a bonus when someone comes back for church services. On one occasion, two families returned, and their children even joined in when the bell choir performed.

Pastor Eric Cox says Santa Shop tangibly demonstrates the Enduring Principle of Grace and Generosity. Gifts multiply just as God’s grace multiplies.

Cox recognizes that many in the congregation work hard to put the program together. Neighbors, friends, and community members support it. Perhaps best of all, we share the message of a loving God with people who most need to hear it.