Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiara Hampton.
Hi Tiara, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am an Atlanta native, born and raised on the south west side of town. I always wanted to give back to my community, just didn’t know how. So in January of 2021 I tried the simple idea of packing some old purses of mine with needed toiletries of women like pads, soap, razors, deodorant, a wash cloth, tooth brush, tooth paste mouth wash, snacks, condoms and a $5 dollar bill. I passed them out to the homeless in the West End. The women were so grateful and it warmed my heart. I was filled with joy to help, which ignited a fire in me to give back to the homeless in my city. Bags 2 Blessings was officially born. I now wanted to include men, so I bought 10 drawstring book bags and packed them with battery powered clippers, T-shirts/socks and everything they could use that I gave the women. The men were even happier for the help. One instance I remember at Texaco on the corner of Northside and McDaniel an unhoused gentleman asked if I had any money to spare. I told him yes, and I had a bit more than that. I gave him a packed book bag with $40.00 ( My friend matched my $20.00 to give). He started to weep and pray instantly— it definitely made me cry. At that moment I knew for sure giving back was my personal calling. I asked my Mom to help me with my new endeavor, which she quickly agreed. We hosted a giveaway monthly out of our own pocket with an average of 70 bags. We added more and more, including interview clothing. My friends and family all donated clothing and time to help see our vision through. Unfortunately, my Mom died September 2022, 4 days before I gave birth to my first child; shattering my world. Even though it took some time, I started my giveaways back in January 2024 with a fresh start. I plan to scale Bags 2 Blessings bigger and better, giving away tiny homes and providing shelter. “We are in the Blessing Business”
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It had definitely been some challenges. Funding my non-profit out of pocket, dealing with the death of my co-founder (my mom) and dealing with the unhoused is not for the weak. However Bags 2 Blessings has pushed through.
We’ve been impressed with Bags 2 Blessings, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Bags 2 Blessings sets to be a trusted resource to the homeless community by providing necessities to catapult them from dependency into self sustainability.
-Provide clothing and toiletries for job readiness
-Bridging the unhoused to credible job leads
Our Core Values are:
Generosity
Compassion
Altruism
Collaboration
Integrity
Our Instagram page is @Bags2Blessings
We accept donations on Cash App $Bags2Bless
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
The internet/social media is where I have found alot of resources and advice from non-profit professionals. I reach out for help, the worst they can say is no.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Bags2Blessings
