Interested in helping our neighbors without a place to live as we come to the hardest part of the year for living outdoors? We called up the City of Bellingham and asked what their greatest needs were that we could pass along to our contacts in churches.
Here are two specific things they mentioned:
- Volunteer: More volunteers are urgently needed in order to open overflow shelters this winter. Without volunteers, the extra shelter space cannot be opened. CTK is partnering with the Lighthouse Mission to administrate space at the old drop-in center. Sign up by December by using this link: https://ctkserves.org/volunteer
- Donate: Special donations can be made to Lydia Place or the Opportunity Council to help pay for motel stays for families and seniors. https://lydiaplace.org/donate/ or https://www.oppco.org/donation-information/
Of course, you can also give through Whatcom Love INC. We work to connect people in need directly with churches and people who are eager to love their neighbors who are experiencing need, providing coaching along the way to help ensure that the connection gives a positive outcome for both the one who gives and the one who receives. Let us know if you are interested!
We would also invite you to join us in praying for people without adequate shelter during this season. If it is helpful to you, incorporate this prayer into your petitions:
O God, almighty and merciful, you heal the broken-hearted, and turn the sadness of the sorrowful to joy. Let your fatherly goodness be upon all whom you have made. Remember in pity all those who are this day destitute, homeless, or forgotten. Bless the multitude of your poor. Lift up those who are cast down. Befriend mightily those who are suffering innocently, and sanctify to them the endurance of their wrongs. Cheer with hope all who are discouraged and downcast, and by your heavenly grace preserve from falling those whose poverty tempts them to sin. Though they be troubled on every side, suffer them not to be distressed; though they are perplexed, save them from despair. And teach your people, Lord, to remember their need, and constrain us to improve their lot. Grant this, O Lord, for the love of him who for our sakes became poor, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.