While most would ask for a cake or a party, local resident Janay Roberson is inviting all of Chattanooga to help her celebrate her birthday this weekend by giving the gift of service.
On July 22, the soon-to-be 29-year-old will host the city’s first Hashtag Lunchbag initiative at Olivet Baptist Church Kingdom Center in an effort to feed the homeless on the day after her birthday.
Hashtag Lunchbag is a humanity service movement that started in Los Angeles five years ago and spread through social media. The initiative encourages volunteers across the world to group up, pack bagged lunches, add a handwritten note of encouragement and pass the meals out to those in need.
“I wanted to do something to get everybody involved, no matter what race, no matter what ethnicity or religion, so I thought this would be the best way,” Roberson said.
Roberson is hoping to get at least 50 people to help fill the bags with sandwiches, cookies and loving mementos. Her goal is to pack 150 lunches, then head out with whomever is willing to distribute the bags and fellowship with men and women in downtown Chattanooga.