Go Beyond

It’s beginning to look a lot like winter. And, even in Houston’s relatively mild winter weather, the homeless are especially vulnerable to the cold. According to a report earlier this year in the Houston Chronicle, there are more than 7,300 homeless people in the greater Houston area. That number swells to almost 12,000 if you expand the definition of homelessness to include those in shelters, other types of supportive housing, or in Harris County jail.

Our missions ministry has a strategic partnership with Houston Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Team. We support a number of initiatives to help the homeless and also to provide for their practical needs. For the past few years, we have provided coats, gloves, winter hats, and sleeping bags for the homeless. Because of your generosity, we have helped hundreds of homeless people annually to stay a little warmer through our coldest winter days.

This year, we are once again asking our generous Kingsland family to bring gently used or new adult-size winter coats, gloves, scarves, hats, and sleeping bags with you when you come to worship this Sunday morning. We will have tables and boxes in the commons areas where you can place your donations. On Monday, our good friend and partner Officer Jaime Giraldo of HPD’s Homeless Outreach Team, will pick up your gifts. He and his team will distribute them to the homeless in the coming days.

If you will not be here this Sunday but would like to donate your items, please bring them by the missions office this week. Thanks in advance for helping us to spread a little warmth and encouragement among Houston’s homeless.