Beginning Feb. 10 and through the 21st, the Ellis County Homeless Coalition, with generous donations from the Ellis County community, provided warm beds and dinners for the county’s homeless friends. Your generous hearts covered the cost of the rooms provided at a special price by Comfort Suites and the overflow at Motel 6, both in Waxahachie. We worked to provide beds for anyone who contacted us themselves or through the local police to ensure nobody would freeze.
Dinners were provided by groups, churches and individuals throughout the emergency along with lunches, snacks and a chili lunch with a church service on Sunday held in the eating area of Comfort Suites for anyone who wanted to attend. Covenant Life Church provided clothes to anyone who needed them and the homeless helped each other repair vehicles.
Total men and women housed: 18
Total dinners provided: 124
Although they may not want me to, I am giving a HUGE shout out to James Bell, our president, that worked hard every day in the cold and on slick roads to make sure this happened and everyone was picked up. Also, to Kasie Linker, our treasurer, who braved icy streets to make sure the overflow accommodations at Motel 6 were ready for those who went there. Finally, to Rhonda Miller and Shelly Skinner, our VP and secretary, who managed calls, dinners, Facebook and voice mails. It definitely was a coordinated effort with them and the Ellis County community.
We look forward to continuing to serve our homeless friends and those at risk of homelessness with new programs in 2021. We’ll send more information out soon.
Join us for our monthly meeting on Zoom – Tuesday, March 9, at 6:30 p.m.
Check our website, elliscountyhomeless.com, for current meeting ID and password.
Betty Kirkpatrick serves as a member of the Ellis County Homeless Coalition board.
