Volunteers Brave Winter Storm to Support UCT's Between the Sheets:
A Cold Weather Drive for Faith Mission Shelters
COLUMBUS, January 2011 – Nearly 100 courageous volunteers braved the city's worst winter storm to help Faith Mission homeless shelters by supporting Between the Sheets, a cold weather community service drive held at Bar 23 in Columbus' Short North.
The event was sponsored by UCT, Columbus Gives Back, Yelp Columbus and CD101. Volunteers stepped up to help warm up Columbus by donating 30 boxes of critically needed items for Faith Mission, including blankets, sheets, pillows and towels, as well as gloves, scarves and hats.
"UCT is aware that many individuals in our community are homeless and that the winter months are especially difficult for them," CEO Joe Hoffman said. "It's a good feeling to know that our organization has had a part in helping Faith Mission in its efforts to provide the basic needs of shelter and warmth."
Terri Rowe, Development Officer, Lutheran Social Services & Faith Mission, was delighted with the number of items collected, especially given the bad weather. "Due to a recent spike in homelessness, during the first weekend in October, Faith Mission gave out nearly 400 blankets, depleting our stockpile that we had expected to last until at least December," Rowe said. "We were critically short of blankets, sheets and bath towels and truly appreciate the donations we received of these much-needed items."
Faith Mission has had to open a record amount of extra space to ensure that no one need remain unsheltered during the severe winter weather. Faith Mission expects to be sheltering 500 or more people per night this season, more than double its usual capacity of 247.
"The recent sudden increase in homelessness here in Central Ohio is due to after-effects of the long recession," Rowe explained. "At Faith Mission, we expect this may be the worst year for homelessness ever recorded in our community. Many people who lost jobs and then their housing a year or two ago are just now running out of friends and family to stay with and turning to Faith Mission for help. UCT and the Between the Sheets event helped homelessness hurt a little less this winter for a great many people."
Members
In Action
Russellville, Ark. Council 665
Attendees at a dance hosted by Bost, Inc. and sponsored by Council 665 cut loose and have some fun! Bost is a provider for adults and children with developmental and related disabilities. Council 665 is a longtime supporter of the organization.
