Bridges of Hope needs items for the homeless
Bridges of Hope is a Christian faith-based nonprofit organization in Xenia with a primary focus on serving the local homeless population in Greene County. “The shelter opened in 2017 to fill an urgent need for emergency shelter for homeless adults and is the only such facility in Greene County,” says Jill Conkel, shelter director. “We have had as many as 52 guests a night.”
During this time of COVID-19, she adds, keeping the shelter running and compliant with safe health standards has been a challenge. Beds have had to be moved and
spaced out, the method of serving food for dinner and breakfast has changed, and with volunteer numbers dropping significantly, more staff had to be hired to serve the needs of the guests. “What has not changed is
how much the staff care for the guests,” Conkel says. “The needs of the guests continue to be met and many have found permanent housing, jobs and recovery services.”
Bridges of Hope continues to work toward the goal of having a permanent, year-round shelter and hub of services that would not only increase the number of clients that could be served per night, but also allow the organization to transition people into permanent housing, addictionrelated treatment and employment. “Our goal is to have many services not only for our overnight guests, but for anyone in Greene County in need of help through the trials of homelessness, poverty and addiction,” Conkel says.
Here’s what they need: ■ Plastic forks/spoons/ knives
■ 8-ounce Styrofoam cups
■ Cases of bottled water
■ New/gently used backpacks
■ 5 pounds and up bags of sugar
■ New/gently used gym shoes for men and women (only gym shoes)
■ Local fast food $5 gift cards
■ New/gently used basketball shorts for men or women
■ Men’s new boxer underwear
■ Large refill bottles of hand soap
Donations may be dropped off between
6-9 p.m. any night of the week at 1087 W. 2nd St. in Xenia. For more information, call (937) 708-8053.
“Financial contributions are also a great need as we rely completely on the donations of private individuals, businesses and churches,” says Conkel.
Checks can be sent to Bridges of Hope, P.O. Box 241, Xenia, OH 45385 or you can donate online at www.skbridgesofhope.org
Need office supplies?
A lawyer in our community has closed his legal office and is offering a variety of free office supplies to a nonprofit organization that could make use of them.
Included are a hanging file unit, a mobile 10-drawer unit, paper clips, staples, in-and-out pins, highlighters, pens and pencils, binder clips, blank DVDs, invisible tape, postcards.
If your group is interested, contact (937) 2862527.