Over the course of this summer, Angela Walton of Clinton has been giving out sleeping bags to those without homes or without the means to stay warm in the winter.
In the summer of 2025, Clinton native Angela Walton started her sleeping bag ministry, Harbor of Grace. With the ministry, Walton gives out sleeping bags to community members dealing with housing problems, whether it being having no heat or means to stay warm in the wintertime, or having no home at all.
“My goal with this organization is to provide warmth where there is none,” said Walton.
Walton was inspired to start this organization after having spent much time with her grandmother, Beulah Avery, as a child. She describes her grandmother as a very loving person with a giving nature. It was this nature that sparked the flame in Walton’s heart to start Harbor of Grace.
“If someone needed something and didn’t have it and she did, she would give it it to them no questions asked,” she said. “She gave with open hands and a full heart. She was a humble soul. One day she looked me in the eyes and said something I’ll never forget. ‘You have a heart to give, to love, to show mercy. Don’t ever lose that. As cruel as the world may be, don’t you ever lose that.’ She didn’t have much, but what she had, she gave.”
Walton spent many years with her grandmother, going to church with her, going to lunches and even going to their favorite thrift stores together. Walton describes herself as her grandma’s “shadow” and “right-hand hip attachment.” Walton recalls a moment when her grandmother slipped a folded bill into someone’s hand despite her not having much to give.
“We called it the Pentecostal handshake,” said Walton. “A quiet act sacred act of giving. It wasn’t about the show, it was about faith, about love. It was about believing that even when you give your last dime, God will provide.”
After having had many encounters with homeless individuals in North Carolina, Walton realized that there was a need that had yet to be met. According to NChousing.org, the number of people experiencing homelessness in North Carolina rose 19 percent from 2023 to 2024, going from 9,754 individuals to 11,626. No numbers have been put together for 2025 yet, but in previous years North Carolina has been experiencing an uptick in homelessness.
“Every day, I see people who are struggling with homelessness and displacement,” said Walton. “Many work hard but still can’t afford a place to sleep, while others are teens who have left home or may be in a home with no heat. Some are displaced veterans or just individuals who simply haven’t been shown unconditional love.”
According to Walton, there are limited resources for homeless individuals in Sampson County. As a result of this, most of the individuals use Sampson County as a walk-through point to get to a destination that has more resources for them such as Cumberland County. This reality served as the fuel for Walton’s idea. After speaking with homeless individuals passing through Sampson County, Walton gained a deeper understanding of their situation. She then came up with the idea that would later become Harbor of Grace.
By giving out sleeping bags to the homeless, the individuals could take the bags with them to their destinations. A sleeping bag, while it might be small, is perfect for traveling. After using, it can easily be rolled up and taken with you to your next destination. It size also makes it more compact and less conspicuous than a tent so the individuals aren’t as easily noticed and can sleep uninterrupted.
“It’s not just about sleeping bags,” said Walton. “It’s about someone that is cold, forgotten or hurting that grace and hope can meet, that someone sees them, that someone cares. It’s about meeting people where they are.”
In addition to her grandmother’s giving nature, Walton grounds Harbor of Grace in her faith in God and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Because of this, Walton makes it her personal commitment to deliver the sleeping bags to those in need with no judgement and no questions asked.
“As a Christian woman, I felt God calling me to help,” said Walton. “I believe everyone deserves comfort and dignity especially during their lowest moments. I want to show them grace and kindness with no questions asked and no judgement. It’s not my concern why someone is sleeping on the grass. I just see someone sleeping on the grass and want to do something about it.”
As a result of her Christian nature and grandma’s inspiration, Walton has become an incredibly selfless person who gives whenever she can. She cites love, dignity, faith and prayer as the core values of the ministry
“It’s not about me,” said Walton. “It’s about them. I want to show them the love that God shows to us. I will share His love. I will wrap someone in warmth, not just of fabric but of faith. I will remind them that they aren’t invisible, that they are loved and that mercy still lives in this world.”
Walton’s desire is to be able to keep a minimum 20-30 sleeping bags on her wherever she goes so that when she see’s someone on the side of the road or in a similar situation, she can hand them a bag then and there. In addition to this, Walton hopes to spread the ministry “As far as the east is from the west.” As of now, the only help Walton receives is through her family and various donations. Walton’s church, Clinton Family Worship Center, is aware of her ministry and help to promote it when they can. Walton is also currently applying for a nonprofit status.
“This is my heart and this is my purpose. It all began with a woman who gave everything she had believing that God would always make a way.”
If you wish to donate to the ministry, you can donate to Walton’s GoFundMe at Fundraiser By Angela Walton: Harbor Of Grace — Sleeping Bag Outreach. You can also donate an adult-size sleeping bag that protects against 14-degree weather. You can also reach out to Walton at [email protected]. Walton will also be at the Clinton Family Worship Center fall Festival on Nov. 1 and is seeking gloves, wool socks, blankets, sleeping bags, toiletries, body wipes, hand sanitizer and hand warmers so that they can be donated to those in need. The church is located on 103 Raiford St. in Clinton.