If you’ve never been cold, dirty, or dejected then you may not know the value of a warm blanket, clean underclothing, or a friendly smile…things which are not taken for granted by the nearly 16,000 homeless individuals in our area. The Waterfront Rescue Mission and Wal-Mart seek to put a dent in the number of those who will be left out in the cold this winter.

On Saturday, November 10, the Waterfront Rescue Mission will kick off National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week with a blanket and underclothing drive at the Ensley Wal-Mart, located on Hwy 29. The community is being asked to place new underclothing, socks, long johns, sweatshirts, and blankets into the receptacles which will be set up outside the entrances to the superstore. Collected items will be given out to the homeless at the Waterfront Mission’s Great Thanksgiving Banquet, held annually at the downtown Mission.

The item drive is the first event in an activities-filled week from November 11 – 17. The Escambia County Board of Commissioners has issued a proclamation declaring the week “National Hunger and Homelessness Week,” and “encourages all citizens to recognize that many people do not have housing or adequate sustenance and need support from citizens and private/public nonprofit service entities.”

This is the first time that the Mission has sponsored this week-long event, which has been held nationally for several years. “For the past 57 years, the Waterfront Rescue Mission has cared for the least, the last, and the lost of our community,” says Leo Gray, Executive Director. “National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week promotes community involvement and aids us in meeting the needs of the homeless.”

CatCountry 98.7 FM will also have a radio personality on hand from 12 to 2 pm to broadcast updates on the drive’s progress. “We are looking forward to being involved with this event and are compelling the community to participate,” says Tracey Castillo, Promotions Director.

Since 1949, the Waterfront Rescue Mission has been demonstrating God’s goodness by providing Rescue and Recovery Services in Jesus’ name. By providing food, shelter, and clothing to the homeless, as well as recovery and career development programs to those in need, the Waterfront Rescue Mission serves Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties as well as Mobile and Baldwin counties in Alabama.