BY DEBBIE PAGE
Iredell Homeless Collaborative members have issued a plea to residents for donations of winter gear to keep the area’s homeless population warm as temperatures dip.
The need for sturdy tents is high as more people enter area encampments and existing tents need replacing. Occupants also need warm coats, gloves, and knit caps, wool blankets, thick thermal socks, rain ponchos, flashlights and batteries, tarps, small propane bottles, butane cans for camp stoves, long thermal underwear, lotion, lip balm, snacks, and hygiene products.
To help, donors can contact:
♦ Peer Support Specialist Terri Blankenship with Iredell EMS Community Response Support Team (Website: https://www.iredellcountync.gov/1696/Community-Response-Support-Team, Email: terri.blankenship@iredellcountync.gov).
♦ Executive Director Rob Harris of Restoration Road Ministry Inc. (Website: https://rrminc.org/, Email: robharris2@gmail.com).
♦ Executive Director Karen Kidd of Foundation of Hope Ministries (FOHM) (Website: https://www.fohminc.org/, Email: hope@fohminc.org).
♦ Homeless Collaborative Chair and Community Resource Coordinator at Statesville Police Department Pam Navey (Email: pnavey@statesvillenc.net).
WARMING STATIONS
The Salvation Army will open daytime warming stations soon, and Fifth Street Ministries is discussing plans for a supervised evening warming station for those who are not shelter clients.
SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY EVENT
Yokefellow and Grill 4 God Ministries are having a community meal and winter weather clothing giveaway on Saturday, December 13, at the Yokefellow facility at 1380 Shelton Avenue in Statesville. Lunch will be served around 10:45 until they run out of food.
FREE DIAPERS
Executive Director Tommy Simmons announced Yokefellow got continued funding for Yokefellow’s Diaper program for one free pack of diapers per month. Contact Yokefellow to learn how to apply for the program at (704) 872-7677.
CHRISTMAS UPDATES
Christmas parties, gifts, and school supplies are planned for area disadvantaged children.
The former Brookwood Inn children will be served at a party in December. The Prison Fellowship Angel Tree, through Goodwill and FOHM, will serve 140 children who have an incarcerated parent. Statesville Housing Authority will distribute toys collected by area churches on December 20.
The Salvation Army toy drive will serve 1,100 kids in 500 local families, with pick up for those who registered and were approved on December 18-19.
Salvation Army Lieutenant April McCormick is in need of volunteers to sort toys and organize the gifts for each family. Please contact McCormick if you can volunteer starting the week of December 8. (Phone: 704- 872-5623 during business hours, Email: april.McCormick@uss.salvationarmy.org).
The Statesville Police Department Fill the Trailer Toy Drive will serve 400 children. The last toy collection day at the Statesville Walmart will be on Saturday, December 13, from 12 until 4 p.m. Donations can also be sent directly to SPD through their Amazon wish list at https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/1INJSIX1JD54T.
The Mooresville Police Department’s Heroes and Helpers program is serving 25 children in Mooresville.
AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE OPPORTUNITY
Fifth Street Ministries is partnering with the Iredell Health Department to bring the mobile health unit to the shelter on the first Thursday of each month.
The Bentley Center has graciously opened their space for setup so services can be even more accessible to the community beginning January 1.
The unit offers affordable blood panel testing, provides Narcan along with training on use, and offers CPR lessons. During the colder months, they will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and during the summer months, their hours will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
HOUSING/UTILITIES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Pamela Hinton of Partners said she currently has some Iredell County housing funds to help prevent eviction and also has utility bill assistance funding. Contact Hinton at PHinton@partnersbhm.org for information on how to apply.
COLLABORATIVE UPDATES
Rob Harris reported that Restoration Road’s first men’s sober living house in Mooresville is going well, and the organization is looking at properties in Statesville and in the county for prospective locations for a women’s and a women with children sober living home.
Kidd said the Statesville Cove Church’s (935 Crossroads Drive) Tuesday night meals (6 – 7 p.m.) are serving 175 hot meals to local folks in need. They also give out 75 food bags and have clothing available. Showers are also available through the week by appointment.
The Thanksgiving lunch at The Cove was a success, serving 109 and sending 80 meals to encampments and motels. They also contributed pans of food to Christ Church’s Thanksgiving evening meal for folks in need.
Dyrita Harris of Piedmont Mediation is looking for community service opportunities for young people in her program. Contact her at 704-873-7624.