A Care-a-van of Caring

Oct 24

Bob’s Bags exists to extend a hand of compassion and support to individuals experiencing homelessness, providing them with essential supplies and a sense of dignity. We strive to be a beacon of hope, sharing God’s love through practical assistance, heartfelt outreach, and the transformative message of the gospel, believing that every act of kindness is an opportunity to spread hope and faith.

A Letter from Jim Lackey

A Care-a-van of Caring October, 2026

When Bob’s Bags hits the streets for our monthly outreach, we usually travel in a 5-car caravan. I have the honor of shepherding in the flock to our destination. Imagine traveling down Dallas’ busy freeways leading five usually white cars and trying to keep them all together at speeds up to 70 mph! Follow this up with navigating through the winding streets of South Dallas. Now we are not doing this blind. Bob Cawthon and I have gotten to know the area very well, and we go out the day before to scout out where our friends in need might be staying.

So we have a “Plan,” but as we all know, no plan survives contact with “reality”. Traffic gets backed up, and alternative routes are needed. People are left behind at red lights and need to catch up; it is a constant struggle to maintain visual contact with 4 cars behind me, be aware of the traffic around me, and check the GPS to see if I need to change the route. The idea is to arrive all together. Since we have cars with specialized loads, I have to make sure the cars with the actual bags arrive within minutes of the first car loaded with men’s clothes.

Our favorite places to stop are parking lots, where we can park side by side. This gives us space between the cars allowing the trying on of shoes in a chair, privacy for ladies being fitted for bras or getting our gentlemen the right sized pair of pants, and a belt if they need one. We also can easily support each other if needed.

“The first shall be last, and the last shall be first:” — from Matthew chapter 19

While I am the first car to arrive, I am the last car to help; I usually hand out men’s shirts, pants, and belts appropriate for the weather. I love being last; the men I see are so grateful for what they have already received. A bag of food that will last them about two days, personal care items, socks & underwear, and if needed, blankets, tents, and sleeping bags. Then on top of all that, they get clean clothes that fit.

As the line of people slows down, Bob Cawthon in the middle car signals us to start wrapping it up. If we have more bags, we move our Care-a-van to our next location. If we are out of bags, it’s time to find our way home to Duncanville, and unload, share our stories, and have a closing prayer.

Bob’s Bags may not end homelessness, but we are there with a listening ear, a compassionate presence, and encouragement for those afflicted by homelessness and/or addiction. Our goal is to move them on to the local shelters and receive the help they offer.

‍ ‍

Jim Lackey

Operations and Logistics Director

At the monthly gathering to fill and assemble bags, Jim has us fill bags with production-line organization. Jim and Bob Cawthon go out the day before our monthly delivery of bags to locate the homeless camps, to make our Sundays going out on the streets their most productive. He oversees clothing distribution.

October 18th Outreach

Time for hoodies, long pants, long sleeve shirts, and blankets

We assisted 79 needy souls with 50 pairs of shoes, more than 500 articles of clothing, 100 Bob’s bags, 23 women’s personal care backpacks, 26 sleeping bags, 49 blankets, 100 hamburgers, 1 tent, tote bags, insect repellent, and more.

**Pam wrote down this man’s prayer concerns and gave him food for his 3 dogs.**

**Happy to receive warm clothing and food**

**This guy was quoting scriptures to us and thanking us so much about what we were doing.**

**Spontaneous Stop! Pam jumped out to take something to this lady that was sleeping by an enclosed trash areas as we headed to the next stop. She prayed with her and gave her a bag.**

**Line gets a little long because Bonnie takes time to let the women choose what they like. They were very grateful.**

**Ron helping this gentleman with new underwear and more.**

**Ladies Sports Bras, Shoes, and Linda.**

Please Take a Moment to Pray for These Needy Folks

· Local folks that stopped by the church needing help:

· Ralph-48, recently released from jail. We provided him with shoes, socks, underwear, pants, shirts, food, sleeping bag, blanket, and tote bag to catty it all.

· Julie-55, living out of her car. We provided food and clothing.

· Eric-56, recently released from Leavenworth Federal Prison after serving twenty years. We provided clothing. Eric very much wants to start fresh and do God’s will.

· Nicholas-28, Marine Corp veteran that served in Iraq has been homeless for two years. We provided clothing, shoes, and personal care items. Nicholas trusts God to help him through this difficult time.

· Julie-55, needing to borrow a rollator walker to help a relative needing to see a doctor. Julie is a believer and wants to share God’s love by helping others.

October 18, 2026, Outreach

· Francisco-52, life improvement

· Pesquesso-57, souls

· Harold-55

· Chris-21

· Jessie-65, another day

· Hollie-37, family

· Donald-41, family

· Reginald-72, family

· Ryan-25

· Tee-37, health

· Ricki-64, things to get better

· Kashi-40, better life

· Vergie-60, housing

· Hannah-43, housing

· Richard-61, back on track

· Sarah-30, family

· Anna-44, partner

· Ricki-41, health

· Sandy-40, safety

· David-46, healing/safety

· Agustin-52, health

· John-62, health

· Theresa, provision

· Jon-32, pray for son

· Keith-68, everything

· Fatma-26, health

· Laura-40, housing/job

· Eric-64, health/surgeries

· Christi-58, health

· David-57, health

· Byron-60, health

· John-41, healthy relationships

· Jose-69, knees

· Julio-56, employment

· Patricia-50, finances

· Shelly-62, family

· Sharron-65, strength

· Demetrius-48, peace

· Korynn-48, humility

· Jax-51, health

· Byron-50, housing

· Frank-34

· Peter-52, employment

· Lillian-52, wholeness/God’s favor

· Victory-58, housing/income

· Jameika-46, continue to walk in God’s path

· Vincent-54, get off streets

· Jason-34

· Jesus-60

· Albert-27

· Anthony-38

· Terron-45, forgiveness

· Joy-48

· Richard-54, housing

· Hargest-62, housing

· Teddy-50, life circumstances/job

· Charles-67, get away from bar

· Alex-44, good job

· Mark-63, health/life

· Runny-61, deliverance/healing/family

· Antonio-41

· Alton-65, things to change

· Anthony-30, little sister Jordan, not sure where she is

· Kenneth-59, peace/mercy/blessing

· Isaac-53, home

· Welton-35, stuck here/ getting to San Antonio

· Sam-36, my children/ ages 11,9,7, in Tarrant County

· Fidel-67, health/well being

· Grober-57, son/health/job/finances

· David-49, end homelessness

· Juan-19

· Senay-37, get a job/permanent housing

· Candy-38, pregnant lives in tent

· Jessica-50, family, children, spiritual warfare

**Saturday Volunteers Assemble Bags: Sheryl, John, Millie, Terry, Lynn, Jim, Bobby, Pam, Mary, Renie, Brenda, Nelda, Parker, Lori, Gerald, Max, Tom, Ronnie, Gayle, Amber, Bonnie, & Bob.**

**Sunday Outreach Team: Ron, Linda, Karen, Jim, Gayle, Tom, Pam, Bonnie, & Bob**

Final Words

Bob’s Bags Vision Statement sums up our purpose:

To extend a hand of compassion and support to individuals experiencing homelessness, providing them with essential supplies and a sense of dignity. We strive to be a beacon of hope, sharing God’s love through practical assistance, heartfelt outreach, and the transformative message of the gospel, believing that every act of kindness is an opportunity to spread hope and faith.

How Can You Help?

The need is great! Your financial donations are much appreciated and allow us to purchase needed supplies.

Donate through the website at bobsbags.org

Please remember:

Love your neighbor
Take care of the poor
Feed the hungry
Clothe the needy

Bob’s Bags is a 501(C)3 public charity

Thank you for supporting this ministry

Bob Cawthon