Children’s Center food drive

MONTICELLO, NY — The Children’s Center at Sullivan County Family Court recently held its third annual food drive with the help of retail banking administrator Rhonda Decker of Jeff Bank. Donations of food were collected at all Jeff Bank locations and at offices in the government center. Baskets were put together by the Children’s Center staff/volunteers, then given to families in need who visit the center.

The center is a not-for-profit organization run by Sullivan County Head Start Inc., which offers drop-in-childcare from six weeks to 12 years whose caregivers have business in Family Court or Probation. For more information call 845/791-3535.

Homeless vigil

MILFORD, PA — On Monday, December 21 at 6 p.m. the Pike County Hands of Hope (PCHOH) will join with organizations and spiritual communities around the United States in commemorating National Homeless Persons Memorial Day with a short candlelight vigil on the steps of the Milford Courthouse on Broad Street. Prayer will be offered for all who live or who died homeless in Pike County.

For 25 years, the National Homeless Peoples Memorial Candlelight Vigil has honored the memories of the families and friends who never made it off the streets—the people who died alone and anonymously without ever knowing there were people who cared.

PCHOH asks Pike County residents to gather and light a candle as a way to support and remember homeless individuals. All are welcome. Dress warmly and bring your friends and family to Pike County Court House Steps, 410 Broad St. There will be food and dessert served following the vigil at the Presbyterian Church.

Event raises awareness of hunger, homelessness

MILFORD, PA — Calling All Angels Mission’s first annual Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Event, which included a music concert and speaker, was held on November 14 at the Jen Murphy Fitness Studio at 113 W. Harford St.

The event was held in conjunction with efforts by The Ecumenical Food Pantry of Pike County and Pike County Hands of Hope. The organizers wished not only to raise awareness of these two serious problems plaguing our country today and explain how the faces of homelessness and hunger have changed, but to make it personal. Several stories were read by volunteers written by people in Pike County who had experienced homelessness and hunger. And a few of those in attendance spontaneously shared stories and experiences of people they knew.

The event also raised $430 (plus the $75 fee for the venue that was donated back by Jen Murphy), three crates of food for the food pantry, four bags of clothes for Calling All Angels and over a dozen blankets for Hands of Hope.

To make a donation to help tackle hunger and homelessness in Pike County via GoFundMe, visit https://www.gofundme.com/wz7rqerj, or you can stop in the Calling All Angels Thrift Shoppe and drop off a donation of cash, food, or clothing.