First Baptist Gulfport’s women’s ministry comes together for baskets of love

For the past 12 years, the women’s ministry of the First Baptist Church Gulfport has gathered to build their baskets of love, care packages which are meant for the homebound and senior members of their community. Packed inside the baskets are everyday essentials such canned goods, snacks, socks and other other items to bring on the holiday cheer, such as homemade Christmas tree ornaments from the children’s Sunday school.

For the women’s ministry, these baskets are more than just about providing items but rather letting the senior members know they’re on their mind as we enter the holiday season.

“Those senior members were some of those who were active members of the church, so we want to make sure that they know they’re still thought of. Our deacons will take the basket and not only drop it off but visit with them, talk with them, pray with them. It’s more than just the basket, it’s about relationship,” said Heather Hicks, the chairwoman of the First Baptist Church’s women’s ministry.

There’s a reason the baskets of love have become a tradition at the First Baptist Church, as seniors look forward to this act of kindness each and every year.

“We get thank you notes on how much they appreciate this. There’s a story of one lady that has been in our church for years and every time she gets the basket she calls her daughter to come over and she goes through every item that’s in the basket. She’s so excited to get this basket and to know that we haven’t forgotten her,” said Janie Bertucci, the Director of the Women’s Missionary Union for First Baptist Church Gulfport.