When Everyday Hero host Bill Murphy met Nancy Gonzalez, he got a tour of a former bedroom now designated the "Mustard Room." It’s where Mustard Seed Bags of Courage begin.
“A mustard seed bag is a bag that I provide to domestic violence survivors,” Gonzalez says. “And it’s got the essentials that they will need to survive the first few days when they leave their abuser.”
The bags include items like shampoo, tooth paste and brushes, body soap, clothing if needed and even some fun things for kids.
“Lots of times they leave with just the clothes on their backs. And they don’t have anything,” Gonzalez says.
This whole project began about two months ago with just an idea she posted on Facebook. The response was quick and phenomenal. Along with the local area, Gonzalez heard people from all across the United States. Every single person that reached out wanted to help and many for the same reason as Gonzalez.
“Because I’m a survivor and I know what it’s like to leave that situation,” Gonzalez says.
She knows the pain and fear a parent can feel.
“It’s earth shattering for you because you feel like you can’t take care of yourself or your children,” Gonzalez says.
And now with her own funds and those of supporters Gonzalez delivers bags of courage whenever and wherever they are needed…. to local shelters and, if need be, to individuals.
She hopes, someday, to make this a national organization.
Gonzalez also keeps in close touch with many who are on the road she once traveled.
And as to why she calls them “mustard seed” bags of courage, “There’s a verse in the bible that talks about if you have the faith of a mustard seed you can tell a mountain to move and it will move.”