The winter months in Indianapolis can be especially brutal for those who are homeless. Cold and windy days turn into cold and windy nights, leaving those without a roof over their head to either hunker into place for warmth on the streets or find a shelter. But even if they are able to make it to a shelter that has space available, having enough food and warm clothing to go around isn’t a guarantee.
The holiday season is traditionally the time of year when a giving spirit is embraced by those who are fortunate to have more than enough for themselves and their families, but knowing what shelters and service providers want donated this time of year can help close that gap between what’s available and what’s needed.
Wheeler Mission, which has men’s and women’s service programs, needs men’s and women’s pajamas of all sizes and twin-size bed sheets, according to Steve Kerr, chief development officer for the Indianapolis branch. Everyone who stays the night at Wheeler gets fresh pajamas, and some people leave the next day with the pajamas under their regular clothes to stay warm.
According to Kerr, giving to shelters and service providers is better than giving directly to those in need.
“That way you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the money is being well used,” he said.
Coburn Place, which provides apartments to 35 families affected by domestic violence, needs basic items that could be found in any other living place, according to Julie Henson, community engagement director. That includes cooking oil, dish soap, laundry soap, canned chicken and chicken helper. Henson said Coburn Place also needs bus passes and gas cards for people to get to work. Coburn Place has a wish list on its website that Henson said mostly stays the same throughout the year.
Dayspring Center gives emergency shelter to families with children and provides food and clothing. Lori Casson, executive director of Dayspring, said the shelter needs items such as food, blankets and toiletries.
“The needs of the shelter are really the exact same things you use in your own home daily,” Casson said, noting that family homelessness actually drops in the winter months because more people are willing to take family members into their homes. Dayspring has a wish list on its website.
Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis also helps families and needs the same basic items such as socks and underwear for adults and children, according to Mike Chapuran, executive director. Family Promise partners with religious congregations in the community to house families each night.
Family Promise has a wish list on its website, but Chapuran said the organization also needs more congregations to join in the rotation. Currently, two congregations host four families each night. There are eight participating congregations.
Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick.
Want to donate items?
Here’s how you can donate items to local agencies:
Wheeler Mission
245 N. Delaware St.
317-635-3575
wheelermission.org
Needs: men’s and women’s pajamas of all sizes, twin-size bed sheets.
To donate: Take items to main office or one of 13 donation barns in the Greater Indianapolis area.
Coburn Place
604 E. 38th St.
317-923-5750
www.coburnplace.org
Needs: cooking oil, dish soap, laundry soap, canned chicken and chicken helper.
To donate: Contact resource coordinator Jennifer Hund at 317-923-5750.
Dayspring Center
1537 N. Central Ave.
317-635-6780
dayspringindy.org
Needs: food, blankets and toiletries.
To donate: Contact donations coordinator Monica Douthitt at 317-635-6780.
Family Promise
1850 N. Arsenal Ave.
317-261-1562
fpgi.org
Needs: socks and underwear for adults and children.
To donate: Take items to main office.
To get your congregation involved: email Mike Chapuran at mike@fpgi.org.
Shelters that help homeless families and individuals in the cold winter months need more supplies like food and clothing to assist those in need during a stressful time. (Photo provided by Wheeler Mission)
