By Lisa Morgan
As is traditional, many charities and organizations rally their troops to help the under-served and less fortunate. The heart of our giving community here in the Coachella Valley is huge, as are the organizations that provide services specifically during Christmas. In CV Weekly’s attempt to get as much information as possible to those who could use it, we have compiled a list of the main services that will be open to the public the week of Christmas. It is far from complete, but hopefully, still very helpful.
COACHELLA VALLEY RESCUE MISSION:
Saturday, December 20th – CVRM will hold their annual toy giveaway for kids. Toys for our valley’s underserved kids are given away starting at 8 am and will go on until toys run out (approximately 5000 children will be served).
Christmas Meals: December 24, Wednesday, from 2-6pm, CVRM will be serving a holiday meal. December 25, Thursday, Christmas morning, breakfast will be served from 6-10 am. This will be followed by a Christmas dinner that will be served from 4pm until 6pm. For this event, the Mission needs everything from food (canned goods, turkeys, hams, and pies to all the cutlery paper goods it takes to serve the masses.” To volunteer or donate supplies, call Linda at 760-347-3512 ext. 221
STREET LIFE PROJECT:
An organization that reaches out to the homeless in our community in an effort to “love them back to life” and help them off the streets, will be increasing their outreach this Christmas season, by bringing a stocking full of toiletries, tire patches, batteries, small flashlights, gloves, socks, gift cards for food, etc. More details will be provided on their web and Facebook pages as it gets closer to the event: Facebook.com/TheStreetLifeProject and www.streetlifeproject.com.
Deliveries will be made to the homeless, Tuesday, December 23rd, at 6pm, at Miles Avenue Park in Indio, and on Christmas Day, at Sunrise Park, at 6pm. In the meantime, donations for this event can be dropped off at three Starbucks locations: Jefferson & 111 in La Quinta, Jackson & Showcase Pkwy, in Indio, and Varner & Washington in Palm Desert.
LOCAL CHURCHES & FIND Food Bank:
Many of our local churches are financially supporting programs run through the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission. Some do have on-going food pantries open to those in need. The list can be found on the FIND Food Bank website: www.findfoodbank.org
