Brookdale Warming Center residents receive facemasks, boots, socks
Bottles of water still needed
On Saturday, March 6, The Power of Life Foundation delivered facemasks and 100 pairs of Under Armour boots and socks for residents at the Brookdale Warming Center. The delivery happened after the Foundation handed out free facemasks at Carolyn Crayton Park.
“It’s amazing to have an organization come from Birmingham to support our community and the people staying with us in such a way,” says Center Director Steve Bell. “We’ve been able to help people change their lives, not just those living with us but those who have become involved.”
“This past year has been hard on everyone. Even people who normally do not struggle, have been experiencing difficulties. The pandemic closed a lot of businesses, and many families lost their income and sometimes their homes,” says Power of Life Foundation Executive Director Lane Harper. “We want to do what we can to help ease people’s burden, and sometimes just giving basic items to helps show them that everything will be ok.”
The Brookdale Warming Center is currently serving more than 150 residents (including children), and it will remain open through June 1 while a more permanent solution can be found. It has been sustained, to date, by monetary donations from businesses, foundations, and people, and a steady stream of volunteers and donated items.
If you would like to join the effort, you can volunteer at the Center, make a donation at www.unitedwaycg.org/covid19donate, or drop off any of the following items:
- Cases of 16.9 oz Bottled Water
- 55 Gallon Contractor Heavy Duty Trash Bags
- Visa Gift Cards (any denomination)
- Individually packaged chips and snacks (fruit cups, jello, crackers, cookies, etc.)
- 20 oz Bottled Gatorade/Powerade (200, we need enough to ensure each resident gets 1)
- Body Wash (Not bar soap)
- Shaving cream
- Men’s underwear (more S and M than L or XL)
- Women’s underwear (more 5, 6, 7 than 8 and up)
- Basic t shirts (men and women)
- Basic sweatpants (men and women)
- Basic sweatshirts (men and women)
- Men’s belts (all sizes)
- Full sheets (top or fitted, no pillowcases)
- Adult diapers (men and women) NOT poise pads
- Men’s (everyday wear) tennis shoes sizes: 9-12
- Men’s (everyday wear) pants sizes: 30, 32, 34
- Women’s (everyday wear) pants sizes: XS, S, M (sizes 6, 8, 10, 12)
The Power of Life Foundation visits cities in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama distributing free facemasks, and in every city they visit, they find a way to support people experiencing homelessness. Its mission is to provide services to underserved people/families and transients to empower themselves to enhance their well-being and assist them in overcoming hardships. Those services include help with housing, food insufficiency, clothing/shoes, disaster services, COVID-19 relief, and youth volunteer opportunities. Since the pandemic began, our focus has been on “flattening the curve” by providing free face masks to COVID-19 hot spot cities and providing nutritious food to the public across the southeast United States.