Port Jeff Station Brewery Makes 'Blessing Bags' For Homeless

PORT JEFFERSON STATION, NY — Po'Boy Brewery, a craft beer spot in Port Jefferson Station, created pouches of everyday items — 'blessing bags' — for the homeless population. A total of 100 bags holding 33 items each were delivered to Pax Christi Hospitality Center to be evenly distributed among men and women.

Wesam Hassanin, bar manager of the brewery, organized the project. She collected hats, gloves, socks, band-aids, water, granola bars, apple sauce, trail mix, tuna & crackers, wipes, tissues, brushes/combs, chap-stick, manicure sets, shaving cream and razors, wash cloths, deodorant, body lotion, shampoo/conditioner, toothbrush/toothpaste, soap, maxi pads and lots of small different snacks to place in the 'blessing bags.' The goods will be delivered to members of the hospitality center, which is at 255 Oakland Ave., Port Jefferson.

"It's really an amazing accomplishment," Hassanin told Patch via email.

When she first decided to attempt the project, she was aiming for 50 bags. Knowing her friends and local community, she realized she could push them to do more.

"Honestly, I didn't even have to push them," she said.

Hassanin posted about the event once when she started and once during the end to finalize a few items that were needed. However, most donations came in within three weeks. From there, Hassanin kept expanding the scope of the project and added more 'blessing bags' because of the large amount of cash donations.

"It was amazing and so heart warming!," she said. "I believe that people just need an avenue or someone to get things moving and then they WANT to help and make a difference. All I did was create that opportunity and nothing more. Sure, it took time to create a registry and collect and count and make sure everything was in order, but it was SO WORTH IT! This has REALLY motivated me to organize more events and just use our power of numbers to continue to do good and pay it forward. Because, if you can manage to get together and party/have a good time, you can certainly get together and help those in need."

Stephen Brazeau, director of Pax Christi Hospitality Center, wrote a letter to Hassanin to thank her, the staff of Po'Boy Brewery and everyone who contributed to make the 'blessing bags' possible.

"These are items that seem simple, though without them, life can feel that much more stressful and unmanageable," Brazeau said. "When you are living on the streets or from place to place and you come in for some services or for housing, having such items can begin to help someone feel more stable and grounded."

Pax Christi Hospitality Center is a 24-bed emergency housing facility that serves males 16 years or older in Suffolk County. The center also serves as an outreach and drop-in spot for men and women experiencing homelessness, or those who need some kind of support, according to Brazeau.

Po'Boy Brewery, at 200 Wilson St. Unit E3, Port Jefferson Station, serves a variety of craft beers ranging from ales and pilsners to IPAs and stouts, as well as ciders.