BY DEBBIE PAGE

At their November meeting, members of the Iredell Homelessness Collaborative shared plans to help those less fortunate as winter sets in and the holidays approach.

However, these organizations and agencies need the support of the community to help struggling families and those without shelter have a warm holiday season.

Fifth Street Ministries is offering Thanksgiving meal boxes for those with food insecurity who live within ten miles of the shelter. Thanksgiving is in two weeks, so those eligible should sign up for turkey boxes now.

Please complete the Google form by November 18 at https://bit.ly/FSMTurkeyBox.

Boxes will be distributed on November 20, 22, and 26.

Fifth Street also asks for help feeding those in need by either donating needed food items or volunteering (or both). Volunteers are needed for tasks such as prepping and serving Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, prepping and sorting for Thanksgiving boxes and Christmas gifts, arts and crafts, gift wrapping, and holiday decorating.

Donations for Christmas gifts for shelter residents, toys for kids, and food items are also needed.

All sign ups for volunteering or gift and food donations are at https://bit.ly/fsmhive.

The annual Thanksgiving meal, open to all, will be served at the shelter (1421 Fifth Street) at 11 a.m. To-go boxes can be delivered to shut-ins.

Donations needed now of daily essentials for Fifth Street’s shelter and other services include new underwear in all sizes (men’s boxer-briefs/traditional boxers and women’s bikinis/briefs), Tylenol cold/cough tablet, Tylenol Daytime cold/cough liquid, NyQuil Daytime cold/cough, Robitussin liquid cough, Mucinex (tablet or liquid),Tylenol, Ibuprofen, coffee, breakfast meats, pancake syrup, sugar, and creamer.

GREATER STATESVILLE ROTARY REVERSE RAFFLE

Fifth Street also asks for support for the Greater Statesville Rotary Club’s reverse raffle, an event presented in partnership with Flow Automotive in Statesville, on Friday, November 15, at the Statesville Civic Center.

In honor of the club’s 50th anniversary, this fundraiser, with a goal of raising $50,000, will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of the Piedmont, Power Cross, Fifth Street Ministries, and Pregnancy Resource Center.

Tickets are $100, which include an evening filled with a delicious pig pickin’ with all the trimmings, beer and wine, live music, dancing, games, and a chance to win a grand cash prize of $10,000.

The event will also feature a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction, and more exciting games throughout the night.

Tickets can be purchased directly at any Flow dealership in Statesville or from club members.

THE CHRISTIAN MISSION TURKEY TROT

The Christian Mission in Mooresville is having its 14th annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. Proceeds help fight poverty for local families and help all celebrate a healthier holiday.

The Christian Mission serves over 4,000 local individuals and families in need with food, clothing, rent/utility financial assistance, case management, and educational programming.

Race cost is $40 for adults and $15 for the kids fun run.

Donations of canned goods or shelf-stable food items for race day collection are encouraged.

Packet pickups are Monday, November 25, from 12 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or Wednesday, November 27, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at The Christian Mission (266 N Broad Street in Mooresville).

Packet pickup provides a great opportunity to meet the staff, ask questions, and see daily operations in action. Plan to pick up race packets on one of these days to avoid long lines and crowds at the event.

All race participants should arrive at the TCM at 8 a.m. The half-mile Kids Fun Run (age 10 and under) will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K at 9 a.m.

No registrations will be accepted or bibs distributed past 8:30 a.m. on race day.

The top three overall male and female runners will receive glass awards. The top three times in each category will receive certificates.

Volunteers, sponsors and runners can find more information at https://thechristianmission.org/turkey-trot/.

If you have any questions about the race, contact smcmurry@thechristianmission.org.

SALVATION ARMY ANGEL TREE PROGRAM

The Salvation Army Angel Tree program serves hundreds of needy Iredell children.

Angel Trees, scattered at businesses and retail outlets across the county, have Angel tags representing the gift requests of a local child.

Through the Angel Tree Program, the community can provide a joyous Christmas to families who are struggling. Families in need are referred to the program by agencies and schools in the community. Need is verified, and children’s names are then registered, along with their gift and need requests.

At least two toys and one outfit/shoes per angel are requested by those choosing a tag.

Donors can return gifts to the Salvation Army facility at 1361 Caldwell Street in Statesville on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Other drop-off locations include Flow Toyota or Randy Marion Chevrolet or Ford during business hours by December 13.

Walmart, Sam’s Club, and many other local businesses in Statesville and Mooresville have Angel Trees, or angels can be picked at the Salvation Army office.

The organization is also looking for volunteers to get gifts sorted and ready for distribution.

Bell ringers volunteers can sign up at registertoring.com or by calling the office and speaking to Melodie Redmond at 704-872-5623.

For more info, contact Major Donna McGee at donna.mcgee@uss.salvationarmy.org.

SPD TOY DRIVE

The Statesville Police Department’s Fill the Trailer Toy Drive is getting underway. The toy drive assists children and teens in the Student Support Services / School Social Work Program of Iredell-Statesville Schools.

Many families live in poverty and are unable to afford the extras that make the holidays such a magical time for children. A simple way to bring Christmas to these families is to donate a new, unwrapped toy or fun gift for kids and teens of all ages from newborn to 15 years.

Donation ideas in the $20 – $30 range include board/card/travel games, puzzles, books, sports-related gifts such as footballs, basketballs, or soccer balls, electronic handheld or portable games, manicure sets, hair and nail accessories, fragrance sets, hat and glove sets and scarves, art and drawing supply sets, craft sets, educational toys, remote control vehicles, toy cars, action figures, and dolls.

SPD cannot accept donations of gift cards or money, clothing, stuffed animals, or food.

The donation trailer will be at the Statesville Walmart (1116 Crossroads Drive) on Saturdays (November 16, December 7 and 14) from 12 to 4 p.m.

Donations can also be dropped off at the Statesville Police Department (330 South Tradd Street, Statesville NC 28677). If you wish to participate with donations via online ordering, such as Amazon or other on-line sources, gifts can be shipped to the SPD address, Attn: Cpl. Austin.

For more information, contact Sgt. Shannon Humphrey at 704-902-9838 or shumphrey@statesvillenc.net or Cpl. Chan Austin at 704.878.3442 or caustin@statesvillenc.net.

BIKES NEEDED

Community volunteer Steve Byrd has a bike ministry to provide transportation to folks to get to jobs or appointments. All recipients are vetted.

To donate a new bike or one to be refurbished, contact Byrd at sbyrd517@gmail.com.

FOUNDATION OF HOPE

Foundation of Hope Executive Director Karen Kidd also reminded community members of a free evening meal every Tuesday at The Cove Church in Statesville. Kidd said they are currently serving over 200 people each week.

Food boxes geared toward the homeless or housed, clothing, and other items are also available at these weekly meals.

Foundation of Hope had a Cozy Up to Fall event to provide community members coats, hats, gloves, and food as well as fun activities and crafts at Alex Cooper Park on November 9. Over 400 people came out for the event.

Event partners included Statesville Police Department and the SPD Teen Ambassadors, Goodwill Industries of Northwest NC, Matthew 25 Ministries, ICGH, Westminster Church of God, The Cove Church Statesville, Horizon Church, Iredell County Health Dept, Kintegra Health, Yokefellow Ministry, City of Statesville, and Statesville Sanitation.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Iredell Homelessness Collaborative will be on December 4 at 10 a.m. If interested in getting involved, contact Pam Navey (pnavey@statesvillenc.net) for a Zoom invite.

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