Our Values

Hope

Every story shared becomes a small light in someone else’s darkness. Hope doesn’t arrive all at once — it grows slowly, just like a jar filling with staples.

Belonging

You are not alone. Our stories connect us, heal us, and remind us that even in our hardest moments, we are walking alongside others who understand.

Faith

Jesus works gently and patiently. Through Scripture, prayer, and shared experiences, He fills our hearts — one verse, one moment, one ‘staple’ at a time.

I have stored up your word in my heart , that I might not sin against you ,

Psalm 119 vs 11

The Story Behind The Staple Jar Project

This story begins with a simple jar on my desk at work, to which I started adding used staples. There was no reason or purpose, other than my own curiosity as to how many I would collect over time.

After a while my collegues and friends at work started adding their used staples, and the number in the jar grew steadily. Over the years we all added to the jar and the quantity increased but there was still no real purpose.

This was until I looked at this jar in a different way and realized that what I had been doing was very similar to our own journeys in life. Often in life we have these big goals, and there is nothing wrong with that, but we often do not realize that it takes hundreds of little steps to reach that goal. It takes putting one staple in the jar at a time. It also takes support and helps from others to help us reach our goals, we cannot do it on our own.

My idea behind this site is to be inspired by reading other peoples stories and to be inspired by them .

What is The Staple Jar Project?

As I have been building this site, I have spent a lot of time thinking about its true purpose. My initial vision was to create a place where people could share their stories and read the stories of others. To me, this is powerful in two ways. Firstly, I have often found that simply sharing my own story or struggles helps to bring clarity and perspective. Secondly, reading the experiences of others reminds us that we are not alone in what we are going through, and that there is always hope.

As this idea has grown, my thinking has evolved.

I have always had a heart for those who are homeless or living with addiction, and I feel deeply called to help share their stories too. Every single person living on the streets or caught in addiction has a story. Too often, we overlook them as if they are simply part of the background. We see them so often that it becomes easy to dismiss them. Then, because some are forced into crime as a means of survival, we can begin to look at them with judgment and contempt. We may think, they are the ones stealing from us, so why should we care?

But behind every face is a person, a life, and a story that deserves to be heard.

I would like to use this site not only to share stories, but also to raise funds to help those who truly want help — those who want to break free from the life they are living and find a new way forward. My hope is to bring light where there is darkness, and to give hope where there seems to be none.

If you read my story, you will see that I too was once in a place without hope. I know what it feels like to be in a place where it seems there is no way out. Someone was there for me when I needed it most.

Now, I want to be there for others.