Make Christmas Merry for the Poor and Homeless
The Christmas Store
The working poor want to bless their loved ones with a gift at Christmas, but because they can barely make ends meet, they don’t have a dime left over for presents. At the Mission’s Christmas Store, income-qualified community members can “shop” for free, selecting gifts like warm pajamas or a toy for those they hold dear. The gift items are donated by loving friends like you, and our store is staffed with caring volunteers from the community.
Gifts for Nursing Home Residents
Every Christmas, homeless families in our New Life Program and young people in our Vanderberg Youth Center visit area nursing homes to treat about 700 low-income residents to Christmas carols, cards and gifts. We fill packages with simple treats like slipper socks, powder and lotion. And, we fill residents’ lonely hearts with love, reminding them how much they are treasured by their Father in heaven.
Gifts for Prisoners
For inmates, the stab of isolation is especially acute on Christmas, when they are far from the people and places they hold dear. That’s why the Mission goes to the Jackson County Jail every year to bring the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ to prisoners. We distribute gifts boxes to about 700 prisoners, filling them with small items like socks, candy, toiletries and reading materials.
Adopt-a-Family
Our Adopt-a-Family program has proven to be life changing for everyone who participates – the givers and receivers. Generous members of our community “adopt” a qualifying family in need then bless them with food and Christmas gifts. New friendships are formed when they deliver gifts to their adopted families as the families spend time together sharing the joy of the season. (Deadline for participation: November 25.)
Share-a-Gift
Through this heartwarming program, community members “adopt” the low-income children in our Vanderberg Youth Center, purchasing for them simple gifts like a toy or a sweatshirt. The children and teens are thrilled when they are given a gift of their very own during the VYC’s Christmas party. For some, it may be the only gift they receive all season. (Deadline for participation: December 2.)
Christmas Dinner for the Hungry and Homeless
At Christmas, we open our doors wide and invite in the hungry and homeless for a joyful holiday feast. About 2,000 people in need join us for delicious meals and holiday festivities. During this blessed seasons, volunteers and area churches celebrate the birth of Christ by presenting special programs at our shelters, handing out home-baked goodies to the homeless, and blessing the lost and lonely with the love of the Savior.
For more information on how you can participate in the Mission’s Christmas community outreaches, please call (816) 474-9380.
