by Karen Garcia |
The December rush is upon us: Over the next couple of weeks, many of us will go through the annual finals-shopping-travel cycle, but in the midst of it all, it’s important to remember those who barely have enough to cover their basic necessities. If you’re sticking around Portland for the remainder of the year, consider taking a break from the madness to give back.
Operation Nightwatch
Operation Nightwatch is responding to the homeless crisis by providing food, blankets, health care and opportunities for socializing to people experiencing homelessness in the evening. Those interested in volunteering can do so in either the downtown or Southeast location and sign up online at operationnightwatch.org.
Posada Milagro
Celebrate the story of Christmas on Sunday, Dec. 13 at the 13th annual Posada Milagro, a Latin American community celebration of Jesus’ birth. There will be arts and entertainment along with food, and tickets are free for all and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 1 p.m. The event doubles as a food drive with the Oregon Food Bank, so bring non-perishable food items! Milagro is located at 537 S.E. Stark Street, Portland.
Pack a care kit
Pack a few care kits that can provide some vital essentials for homeless men and women. Some of the items you can pack in a watertight ziplock bag are: a comb, band-aids, socks, a granola bar, crackers, hand wipes, feminine hygiene products and tissues. For a full list of items to include and items you should avoid, visit http://www.portlandrescuemission.org/get-involved/pack-a-care-kit/.
Karen Garcia is the Living Editor at The Beacon. She can be reached at garciaka17@up.edu.
