With a short donation deadline, New Castle County asks residents to contribute gallon Ziploc bags filled with small convenience items to be given to some of the neediest Delawareans later this month.
“These little donations can make a big difference for the men, women and children who are homeless,” County Executive Thomas P. Gordon said.
Through Thursday, Jan. 21, donations may be dropped at any county library branch.
“You can be a part of bringing a little bit of comfort to Delawareans that are experiencing homelessness,” said donation drive organizer Nicole Waters, “by simply filling a Ziploc bag with any of the needed items.”
Waters, a county housing management analyst, came up with the idea of giving out “Blessings in a Bag” to homeless people during an annual count conducted by the nonprofit Homeless Planning Council of Delaware.
Waters is one of more than 100 volunteers who will help with the count – to be done just a few days after the donation deadline – designed to improve services and examine the causes of homelessness.
For the locations and hours of libraries where you can donate "Blessings in a Bag" to help the homeless, visit www.nccde.org and click on "SERVICES" at the top of the page, then "Libraries" along the left-hand side.
The donation drive is featured on “COUNTY HIGHLIGHTS with Melody Kitchen,” airing on the county’s public access channel, NCCTV Comcast 22 / Verizon 29, nightly at 6:30 p.m. and periodically at other times. Video of the show may be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUfAc6K4Ke8.
NEEDED ITEMS for homeless men, women & children
• New socks, gloves, hats & scarves
• Wrapped single-serving snack bars, fruit bits, crackers
• Hand and foot warmers
• Flashlights & batteries
• Hand Sanitizer, soap, ear plugs
• Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss
• Travel size bottles of shampoo
• Band-Aids and first aid kits
• Wet wipes, lip balm, razors, deodorant
• Bottled water & juice
• Small amounts of cash