If you're sitting in your home reading this with a roof over your head, with the heater or a fireplace going, and you know where your next meal will come from, please read this. Wichita has gotten its first really cold blast of winter and though the next couple of days will warm up a bit, consider how you would have weathered this with no home, possibly not even enough warm clothes to block the sharp winter wind and keep you dry.
More than 600 people faced the storm without a home. Some may have a tent to keep out the rain, but it doesn't stop the ground underneath them from getting wet. And some had no shelter at all, save getting under a bridge to try to find a place that the rain didn't reach.
While there are several organizations that assist the homeless in the Wichita area, there isn't enough shelter space for everyone of Wichita's homeless to come in out of the cold. Janis Cox, with Advocates to End Chronic Homelessness (AECH), which operates the Warming Souls Overflow Shelter in cooperation with Interfaith Ministries, said that the organization has blankets as they use ones provided through FEMA.
"But we certainly can use large size boots and coats to accomodate layers of clothing, new underwear and white crew socks (not tube or dress socks)," said Cox. "If someone wants to volunteer to talk with our homeless neighbors in the shelter they can contact us through the website."
Currently AECH has enough volunteers at the Warming Souls overflow shelter to serve meals through most of the months the shelter is open. However, Cox said that she received a call today from First United Methodist Church, the host church for the men's overflow shelter in January, as they can use groups to help provide an evening meal for about 100 people during the month. If a group would like to help, contact Bonnie Laycock at 316-267-6244. Donations of warm winter clothing, boots and socks can be dropped off at First Baptist Church at Broadway and 2nd Streets. The office area doors face 2nd Street.
Now, take this one step further and imagine that you are a teenager who is homeless. Life on the streets makes it difficult to stay in school, to form friendships, and feel any sense of security at a time when young people can be at their most insecure. The Wichita Children's Home S.O.S. program serves homeless teens. They provide clothing, toiletries, food packages, and shelter.
WCH needs supplies including: individually packaged snack items, bottled water, sweat pants and hoodies preferably dark grey and black in sizes XL-XXXL to accomodate layering, food certificates (Dillons, fast food restaurants in $5 increments), Quick Trip certificates in $15 increments, new warm socks. Consider adding in some hand and foot warmers that can be ued on the coldest nights to keep fingers and toes from freezing. For more information about the needs for homeless teens, contact the Wichita Children's Home at risa@wch.org or call 316-684-6581.
Another oganization that can put you in touch with needs for not only those who are homeless, but those who are struggling financially to keep the heat on, is the United Way. The 2-1-1 line is a first point of contact to find out what organizations need in Wichita to serve not only those who are homeless, but those who are struggling to cover even basic needs.
Comments