BROWN BAG DRIVE BY STORY
Local volunteer starts group to serve greater Galveston area
Crystal Crouse prepares sack lunches and toiletries every other weekend for the homeless in Galveston, Texas. And, once every few months there is a brunch event put together. Founder and funder, Crystal has brought together a small group of people young and old that are now called “Brown Bag Drive By (BBDB).” Crystal and the rest of the group members make and buy sandwiches, fruits, canned vegetables, silverware and other needs in bulk. One member hosts the “sacking party” early Saturday morning. They spread everything out on the floor and form a production line to get all of the bags packed on time.
“We really d make a party out of it!” Heather Corona, a Brown Bag member said. “I think all of us look forward to this weekend every other week because we know how much fun it can be to serve others.”
“Crystal dedicates all of her time to everyone else,” De’Anne Hite, a Brown Bag member said. “To the Brown Bag group and the people we are helping she is a saint. The work we are doing for those in need really makes a difference I think.”
Crystal’s daughter, five-year-old Kylee is at every event helping sack food and pass out lunches. She keeps everyone in a light and fun mood. Kylee even says her own little prayer out loud every time the group circles up. Crystal has dedicated her life to serving others because she knows first-hand what it is like to have nothing. She wants her daughter to grow up serving others as well.
After the group loads the goods into cars to be taken to Galveston, they head out on their route. There are over one hundred lunch bags for over one hundred families, most of which Crystal and other Brown Baggers are very close to.
Once finally in Galveston, a band, food lines, clothing lines, and eating areas are all set up in an open parking lot. Local teens from Crystal’s church and near-by organizations help pass out necessities including pillow, blankets, food, and sometimes toys for the children. All goods are handmade or bought out of the volunteer’s pockets. Crystal reads from the Bible some of her favorite stories and proverbs, says a prayer, and the festivities begin.
Jacob Cherish, one man that Crystal has known for about three years was laid off a month ago and since has fallen behind on bills and getting groceries for his family.
“Me and my wife bring our kids every weekend to have fun with the games and food, but I come to hear Crystal,” said Cherish. “She may not be a preacher, but she has a way about her that really calms the storm in our lives when we know we are in a tight spot.”
“Humphrey Bogart,” (the only name he would give for himself) is a regular at the breakfasts and lunch routes. He was an engineer right out of college and somehow went downhill after being at the same company for years. Many of the Brown Bag members say that he is “always smiling, always a gentleman, and always smoking.” For him, smoking reminds him of “the classics, the people that I always wanted to be… like Humphrey Bogart or the Rat Pack guys.”
Regardless of his name and imagination, he still understands the work the Brown Bag group does. He says they are the one and only constant thing in his life now. “They are the one thing to keep me grounded anymore,” he said.
Throughout the day, some people stand in the middle of the parking lot and dance to the band for hours. Others sit or stand against the fence and just keep to themselves watching everyone else. One man has never spoken to any of the volunteers, but is there every weekend eating and listening to what Crystal has to say about God and His love.
Another regular, Ms. Beverly says that Crystal is like a sister to her, and an aunt to her children. Crystal has been friends with the family for a few years and recently helped find a home for them just a few months prior to the breakfast. It was a gift, free of charge. Ms. Beverly said, with tears in her eyes, “If you ever met an angel, it wouldn’t be half as loving as my sister Crystal Crouse.”
Many of the homeless don’t look as unfortunate as you may picture in your head, but they all have their own horror stories of how they lost everything. To many of them, the Brown Bag Drive-By lunches and the breakfast events every other Saturday are the one thing to look forward to.
Jamee Erickson, a woman that sleeps under the piers in Galveston, said, “We get to listen to great live music, have a warm meal, and be reminded that God and others from the area, especially Crystal, still love and care about us.”
Clear Creek Community Church
Clear Creek Community Church
