If the majority of traditional Christmas songs are correct, then thinking of home at Christmastime is almost as automatic as thinking of the guy in a big red suit.
However, for some Brown County residents, hope of a home of their own is more than just a fleeting holiday thought. And, if they don’t have a home of their own, Christmas may not be so merry.
Good Samaritan Ministries is asking the community to help provide a little holiday warmth to area homeless through Christmas Care Packages.
“We give a box of Christmas food to our families who come to the food pantry in December, but this type of food is not practical for our homeless friends,” said Angelia Bostick, Executive Director of Good Samaritan Ministries. “So we would like to collect items that would be beneficial for them and put together Christmas Care Packages that we can give them in December when they come to get food.”
Currently, GSM is averaging around 27 homeless individuals a month who, if needed, can pick up a box of food once every two weeks.
A person is considered homeless if he or she does not have a permanent residence. This includes not only those who are living in tents, cars or under bridges, but also those who are simply living with a friend or family member for a week or two at a time then moving in with someone else.
“We’re just trying to meet the needs of the folks who come through our doors,” said Bostick. “And, unfortunately, some of those individuals are homeless.”
Bostick said they’ve seen an increase in the amount of homeless individuals this year and expects that the cold holiday season will see much of the same.
“Typically there is an increase in the number of homeless individuals we see during November and December,” Bostick said. “The colder weather brings people in and there tends to be more people passing through during this time for some reason.”
For the Christmas Care Packages, Bostick suggests items like warm hats, gloves, bar soap, shampoo, small sewing kit, small first aid kit, wash cloth, towel, package of new socks, books, journals, notepads, pens, pencils, toothbrush, toothpaste, hot chocolate packets, coffee cup, and packaged cookies.
If you would like to help GSM provide for these special Christmas Care Packages, share this information with your group, club, church or organization. Bostick said they would like to plan on at least 40 boxes to make sure that every homeless man or woman who comes in December receives one. It will cost approximately $50 to put together one box but if many groups participate the cost will be minimal.
For more information, contact Misty at 325-643-2273 or 325-203-2489. A list of items for the boxes is also available at goodsambwd.org.
All items need to be in to GSM no later than 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26 so the boxes can be packed and ready the first of December after the Thanksgiving holiday.
