OWOSSO — Catholic Charities kicked off its “Hope in a Box” program on St. Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, Feb. 14.
Security Credit Union and Powerhouse Gym, both in Owosso, and St. Isidore Parish of Laingsburg are spearheading this effort, collecting personal needs items to be donated to Catholic Charities’ Community Closet, where toiletries and food are distributed to those in need.
The kickoff was at Security Credit Union, 1400 E. Main St. in Owosso.
“With nearly 15 percent of Shiawassee County residents, and more than 20 percent of our children, now living in poverty, you can imagine that the need for services continues to increase,” said Vicky L. Schultz, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties and a lifetime Shiawassee County resident. “We have so many families coming to us for basic items like toilet paper and toothpaste, things that you and I take for granted. I’ve seen little kids overjoyed to receive something as simple as a toothbrush. It breaks my heart to see children going without the things they need.”
“Hope in a Box” participants are asked to place a blue bin, provided by Catholic Charities, in their church, business, school, or organization. Each month the community is asked to donate a different “need of the month” item to help stock the shelves of Catholic Charities’ Community Closet in Owosso. Items collected in Shiawassee County will stay in the county to help those most in need.
For more information, or to become a part of the “Hope in a Box” program, call (989) 723-8239, or e-mail givehope@ccsgc.org.
Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties has been serving those in need since 1941. It offers an array of programs including counseling, substance-use treatment, case management, prevention and education, foster care and adoption as well as the Community Closet and Food Pantry, serving all people regardless of faith. Catholic Charities is at 120 W. Exchange St., Suite 300, in downtown Owosso. For more information about programs, call (989) 723-8239.