Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Homeless Connect planned for May was not held. That has put a dent in the amount of crucial supplies available.
Items needed include high-quality, sturdy tents as well as sleeping bags, flat sheets, blankets, pillows and pillow cases, air mattresses or cots. Non-perishable food items are also needed, especially pop-top and easy-to-open items along with cases of bottled water.
Hygiene items needed include combs, hair brushes, personal hygiene items (soap, shampoo, razors, deodorant, toilet tissue, hand sanitizer, Wet-Wipes, toothbrushes and toothpaste, lotion), and women’s hygiene items.
Other needs: flashlights, batteries, wallets, purses, camp chairs, Coleman stoves, personal camping-sized propane bottles, belts, bikes, bug spray and backpacks.
Clothes are not needed with the exception of coats, sweaters and jeans for men, women and children. Clothing is not sought because local organizations provide clothing on a weekly basis all year.
While COVID-19 created new demands on groups that work with the homeless in Dothan, Kirchhoff said it forced volunteers with The Harbor to hit the streets and reach the homeless even more.
“We gave away more meals, more non-perishable food items, more toiletry items, more clothing items – we gave away more in six months of COVID than we did all of the entire year of 2019,” Kirchhoff said. “And that has happened outside of our building. The need has definitely been there.”