Helping out people in need is all part of the St. Andrew’s United Church mission and outreach committee, and every year, the Salvation Army is one of the organizations they help.
Since 2010, the committee at St. Andrew’s has been making care packages for the Salvation Army to give to people who are homeless and in need of toiletries.
According to committee chair Ann Bouwmeester, travel size toiletries are collected or purchased by the church, wrapped in the towel and put into a reusable bag for the person to use to carry belongings.
“We began this project in 2010 and we make the care packages for the Salvation Army to distribute,” Bouwmeester said. “This year, they asked for 25 women’s packages and the rest were for men for 110 in total this year.”
Since the project started, St. Andrew’s has made 596 care packages, and Bouwmeester said they are always looking for donations of travel size toiletries and reusable bags. Items like shaving cream, razors, soap, deodorant, tissues, combs, toothbrush, toothpaste and washcloths are what is needed. Also included are pens and paper.
Each year, a cash donation is made as well as the care kits to Salvation Army. The committee is starting to collect items for next January, and donations can be brought to the St. Andrew’s United Church office at 85 William St. N. or call 519-352-0010.
