Homeless Helping Hands Day set for Nov. 18

Published 12:57 pm Tuesday, November 7, 2017

THOMASVILLE — Homelessness does not vanish during the holidays. Those without homes, food and resources continue to experience needs they find beyond their reach.

Local organizations will join a national observation of hunger and homelessness next week with Helping Hands Community Day 2017 on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hopkins Mortuary, 1318 W. Jackson St.

Several ministries and organizations have stepped up to help by donating time and items, but more help is needed.

“We try to do this every year the week before Thanksgiving,” said Priscilla Maxwell, secretary of the Thomasville-Thomas County Homeless Coalition and organizer of the Nov. 18 event.

Said Sharon Edwards, Homeless Coalition chairman, “We have served 470 homeless and very low-income families since January.”

Deodorant, hand sanitizers and non-perishable food are at the top of the needs list.

Food items that can be opened easily and consumed by homeless people also are needed. 

“They can’t cook in the woods,” Maxwell said.

New or slightly used men’s and children’s clothing and blankets are needed.

Other needs are:

• Tooth brushes and toothpaste

• Lotion

• Shampoo and soap

• Body wash

• Combs and brushes

• Toilet tissue and wipes

• Diapers

Hot dogs, chips and beverages are needed for the Nov. 18 event, which will include a manna drop, a prayer tent and health checks. Hopkins Mortuary and Grace Pointe Community Church will partner to provide hundreds of turkeys for the event.

Others donating to the event include Thomas County Health Department, local nurses association, various ministries, Thomas County Homeless Association, Community Outreach Training Center, WellCare, First Missionary Baptist Church and Brookwood School.

Edwards said local hotels and motels donate hygiene items, and “when the temperature drops,” homeless individuals and families look to the Homeless Coalition to pay for them to stay at local hotels and motels.

Many homeless people do not fit the stereotypical picture most have, Edwards said. A homeless person might be someone who has lost a job, someone transitioning from prison, someone whose work hours have been cut or has become divorced and can no longer afford rent or someone whose children’s caregiver dies.

Maxwell said many local residents do not realize homelessness is a community problem.

Anyone wanting to donate or volunteer services to the Homeless Coalition can contact Edwards at (229) 289-0032 or Maxwell at (229) 379-1533.

Checks or money orders should be made payable to Community Outreach Training Center, P.O. Box 1612, Thomasville, Georgia 31799.

The Homeless Coalition is housed at the Thomasville Housing and Resource Center, 125 Lester St.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820