MILLBURY — Bags of Love will hold an open house on Sunday from 1-4 p.m. at their office located in the O”Reilly Building at 4400 Moline-Martin Rd. Suite 104.

Bags of Love provides handmade drawstring bags filled with personal hygiene products and age- appropriate stuffed animals, toys, hats, gloves and blankets for children and adults. They partner with local ministries, first responders and schools to distribute Bags of Love to at-risk children, people experiencing homelessness, and disadvantaged residents of Wood and Lucas counties. Their local partners use Bags of Love as a link to engage with individuals who need to know someone cares about them.

For those struggling to fulfill basic needs like food and shelter, personal hygiene products such as deodorant and toothpaste are a luxury. To a child removed from their home and placed in unfamiliar surroundings, a stuffed animal or a soft blanket provides a source of comfort and a toy or game a much-needed distraction. Just knowing someone cares enough about them to provide these items can lift their spirits and give them hope.

The need continues to grow with calls from local agencies requesting Bags of Love for those they have identified as having a need. In addition to partnering with local police agencies, Bags of Love fulfills requests from Lucas County Children Services, the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, local in-patient drug treatment centers. They also partner with Toledo Pubic and charter schools by providing filled hygiene bags for use during their hygiene classes. In addition to local organizations, they work with Samaritan’s Purse to supply bags for inclusion in their Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, sent to over 100 countries across the globe.

Bags of Love is seeking additional funding to continue their mission and meet increased needs in our community. Any form of donation is welcome including gift cards, monetary or product donations. You can see their wish list or make a donation at www.bagsoflove.online. Bags of Love has been a 501(c)(3) organization since 2017.

The open house will include raffles, a silent auction, refreshments and a tour of their office/workspace.