Driving to church in the Hilltop community of Columbus, Briana Johnson would see homeless people on
the same corner asking for help every Sunday. she knew she wanted to do something for the less fortunate, but didn’t know what. Then she remembered a story she had read about a little girl who asked her mom if they could help others by providing hygiene and survival items for the homeless.
That’s the story behind B.A.G.s. (Be A Good samaritan), Briana’s 2004 volunteer start-up that provides backpacks filled with blankets, hats, gloves and toiletries to the homeless of the Hilltop community. Each December, the packs are put together assembly line- style and delivered to Faith Mission: a local secure, Christian-based shelter for homeless men and women in Columbus. Over the years, B.A.G.s. has expanded the project to include tote bags filled with “pretties” and other items for Nancy’s Place – a women’s branch of Faith
Mission – along with backpacks filled with school supplies for West Broad Elementary school students.
Briana’s work doesn’t stop there. Professionally, she is a substitute teacher at Madison Christian school, as well as a sunday school superintendant, handbell choir member, and senior choir director at st. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. As a full-time, stay-at-home mom, her true passion starts and ends with her daughters, saying, “I’m most proud of my daughters. They have both helped with the B.A.G.s. project since they were able to walk. They are growing up to be compassionate, giving citizens of the world.” ▪