Appeal for volunteers to help the homeless
COULD you take time to help the homeless this Christmas?
The Coventry Open Christmas project will open its doors for the 28th time this year.
The project provides a hot dinner and a place to sleep for the city’s homeless - but it needs at least 100 selfless volunteers and generous donations to run.
The charity are now appealing for volunteers to help them over the Christmas period, a time when they need help the most.
For five nights starting on Christmas Eve anyone who is homeless or lonely can stay at the Queens Road Baptist Church in the city centre where they will be fed, looked after and entertained by volunteers - for 24 hours a day.
Last year organisers were overwhelmed by the generosity of Coventry residents who donated clothes, food, entertainment and services.
Guests were given Christmas presents on the day, clean warm clothes to wear and could have their hair trimmed as well if needed.
It is hoped that they will get just as much support this year, for their 28th year, as they are expecting even more guests than in 2018.
At least 100 volunteers a year are needed to assist with running the shelter.
The organisers also need donations of cash, food, bedding and clothing.
Hundreds of guests are expected to have hot meals throughout the week and the shelter can accommodate over 70 rough sleepers each night and serve thousands of cups of tea.
As well as getting hearty meals and hot drinks throughout their stay, guests will be entertained with live music and bingo.
An organiser for The Coventry Open Christmas project told how essential the project is.
They said: “Kindhearted volunteers have given up their time to make sure their homeless guests get everything they need to keep warm and fed over the Christmas period and a hairdresser will be on hand to give hair and nail trims on a few occasions throughout the week.
“The project first opened its doors as a shelter in 1992 as a one night only event, but it has grown significantly since then and now stays open for 24 hours a day over the week of Christmas.
“It is part of the Grub’n’Gab club which serves hot meals every Saturday lunchtime at the St Barnabas Family Centre in Foleshill.”
A volunteers meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 15, at Queens Road Baptist Church at 7.00pm for anyone interested in signing up.
Further details can be found on their websitewww.CoventryOpenChristmas.co.ukor their Facebook page, Coventry Open Christmas Grubngabclub.
The project will be set up on December 22, when anyone with donations will be able to drop them off at the centre.