The folks at the shelter we met yesterday were dealing with a little crisis – they had just moved to a new location, but they weren’t able to take the infrastructure from the old shelter with them. Things like shelves, tables, and chairs.
Once of the biggest problems was not having a place to put all the clothes. And shoes. And jackets. There were lots of donations – and a big need for new clothes – but nowhere organized to put them.
The generosity of people giving was overwhelming – so many everyday people were stepping forward to provide a constant stream of new gear for the hundreds of migrants seeking shelter there each night.
The volunteers at the shelter were bowled over by that abundance. They just needed a way to channel it.
You know that good feeling when you organize your closet, when everything has its spot? That’s just the kind of joy we wanted to share – and with a few quick trips to Home Depot, we made it happen.
The volunteers were all over it, putting the shelving together and hanging clothes on racks. Soon, two messy rooms were transformed into what felt like a mini shopping area.
The migrants who arrive at this shelter have traveled for months upon months, by bus, car, and oftentimes by foot. They’ve been through a lot, some of it unfathomable. Having an organized, dignified, and easy way to provide this service might make them feel a little more human again. It might make them feel more whole.
