MUSCATINE, Iowa–As winter settles in, Muscatine County residents in need face additional challenges. People experiencing homelessness must deal with colder temperatures while spending a lot of time outside. For people nearing homelessness, the higher cost of utilities, along with continued inflation, may make it hard for them to purchase all the food and essential supplies they need. To assist as many people in need as possible this winter, Muscatine Center for Social Action has started a supply drive that will run through Dec. 15 and has invited to community to contribute.
Because of colder temperatures, warm clothing represents one of the biggest needs for Muscatine Center for Social Action. They have requested basic items such as underwear, thick socks, long underwear, coats, hats, scarves, gloves or mittens, and sturdy shoes or boots as part of their supply drive. To help people stay warm at night wherever they find themselves, donors may bring pillows and blankets as well. To assist with the high cost of necessities, Muscatine Center for Social Action will also accept all common toiletries (toothpaste, tooth brushes, soap, shampoo, etc.), feminine hygiene products, laundry detergent, and non-perishable food items for the food pantry as well.
If individuals or organizations would like to contribute any items to the supply drive, they may bring them to the Muscatine Center for Social Action at their location at 312 Iowa Avenue in Muscatine anytime between 5:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. People may also email Resource Development Officer Nik Horn to arrange to have staff from Muscatine Center for Social Action come pick them up.
Because donations go a long way towards helping Muscatine Center for Social Action meet all of their clients’ needs each day, Horn urges anyone interested in helping to make a donation large or small.”Supply drives play a crucial role in us being able to provide pertinent items to those in the community in need,” she emphasized: “There are many people in our community struggling to make ends meet–MCSA serves over 200 people every week through our various programs. Donating to this supply drive will help in more ways than one might realize.”
So far, many groups and individuals, in the spirit of holiday giving, have brought food, personal care, and other items to the Muscatine Center for Social Action. However, with winter just starting, they will need many donations to help people for the duration of the season and beyond.
Though winter represents an important time of the year for Muscatine Center for Social Action to receive donations, they require different items throughout the year to keep up with the emerging needs of their clients. To that end, Horn encourages anyone interested in helping the Muscatine Center for Social Action at other parts of the year to keep up with their needs by watching for most needed items lists on Facebook. For those without social media, Horn invites them to sign up for Muscatine Center for Social Action’s email newsletter or to email her directly to ask about special needs.
