BY AMY FREEZE

Saturday, November 13, marked the beginning of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. In the United States, 44 million people are at risk of suffering from hunger while 580,000 people are homeless on any given night.

While the national numbers are astounding, the local numbers can be just as overwhelming. Each year Fifth Street Ministries serves between 80,000 and 90,000 meals on a $10,000 a year food budget. Many years Fifth Street Ministries offers emergency and transitional shelter to 600 to 700 guests, averaging approximately 100 guests per night. Those numbers do not include My Sister’s House or Veterans Transitional Housing.

Due to community support, 175 individuals and families were able to obtain more permanent housing last year. These are individuals and families who now have a roof over their heads, a warm place to sleep, a table for their children to do their homework and a home in which to celebrate the holidays. 

Fifth Street Ministries is thankful for these successes and thankful for your continued support. This week though reminds us all, there is still work to be done.

Here’s how you can help:

♦ Donate: www.fifthstreetministries.com/donations/
♦ Holiday Volunteer Signup: https://www.fifthstreetministries.com/events/2021-holiday-volunteers/

Amy Freeze is the director of development at Fifth Street Ministries.