Lanie Scarlett of New Life Christian Church, Warsaw, “stalks” two shoppers at Meijer, handing them $100 for their last-minute shopping. (Photos by Amanda McFarland)

WARSAW — Thirty Warsaw-area shoppers were stalked today, Thursday, Dec. 24, in an unexpected way.

Volunteers from New Life Christian Church, Warsaw, headed to three shopping locations — Meijer, Dollar Tree and Sherman and Lin’s — to hand $100 bills to last-minute shoppers and to offer prayer if the recipient so chose.

In all, the church had $3,000 to give away, averaging out to 10 shoppers per location. Volunteers would approach shoppers as they felt led and ask them, “do you have a Christmas stocking?” Whether the response was “yes” or “no,” the volunteer would then say, “I’m with New Life Church and we’re stalking you to bless you,” then hand them a pamphlet and $100 bill.

Recipients were in tears as they realized what they were receiving. For many, it made all the difference that they would have that extra money for their shopping.