Local organizations are working to ensure everyone in Lampasas can enjoy a cozy and festive holiday season – including those set back by the COVID-19 economy.
Ginnifer Cook, who helps coordinate the Heart of Forgiveness Church soup kitchen, said many in the community suffer financially from job loss and reduced hours due to COVID-19 restrictions and struggle to make ends meet.
“We feel the strain, but we know that God and the community are going to keep providing,” she said.
She noted ways Lampasas residents can help.
HEART OF FORGIVENESS CHURCH
Cook said the number of people seeking services from the Heart of Forgiveness has doubled since this time last year and continues to rise.
The church serves about 250 people and provides meals five days per week.
Cook said elderly people make up a large portion of the newcomers, and many who are reluctant to shop or socialize for fear of COVID-19 exposure enjoy fellowship and receive food and other supplies at the Heart of Forgiveness Church.
“This is a safe haven right now, and it will be for as long as we can keep the doors open,” she said.
Some new middle-age attendees have lost their jobs or had their hours reduced, Cook said.
Heart of Forgiveness will serve Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s meals. The church seeks donations of non-perishable food, bottled water and juice, paper goods, plasticware, cleaning supplies, trash cans, aluminum foil, storage containers and to-go boxes. Hand sanitizer also remains a big need.
“You name it, we could use it,” Cook said.
LAMPASAS SALVATION ARMY
The Rev. Paul Allen, head of the Lampasas Ministerial Alliance, said all money donated to the Lampasas Salvation Army goes to serving those within the county.
Last year, the Lampasas Salvation Army was able to provide $11,000 in assistance.
The organization helps people pay rent, utility bills and medical bills, and occasionally it provides hotel stays. It donates food to the Heart of Forgiveness Church and assists with the annual Lampasas Fire Department toy drive.
Lampasas Salvation Army President Bob Chapman said the organization has seen an increase in the need for housing and utility assistance, as more people have struggled to make ends meet since the arrival of COVID-19.
The Lampasas Salvation Army seeks volunteers to ring bells and collect donations at Walmart and other locations for its Red Kettle Campaign.
To find out more or register to volunteer, call Chapman at 512-540-6871.
The Lampasas Salvation Army accepts donations mailed to 2 Alexander St.
NEW BEGINNING OF RESTORATION AND HOPE
New Beginning of Restoration and Hope offers crisis pregnancy resources, including sonograms and mentoring. Executive Director JoAnn Mensch said more than twice as many women and families as usual have sought services this year.
New Beginning of Restoration and Hope will set up an Angel Tree Nov. 30 at its offices at 1920 South U.S. Highway 183. The tree will be covered with paper angels, each of which includes a gift list from a mother in need. Visitors can take an angel and return the specified gifts to the office by Dec. 18.
Mensch said gifts listed on the angels are household and baby items, but many are personal items that mothers in need are unable to purchase for themselves.
New Beginning of Restoration and Hope also accepts new and gently used items, as well as Walmart and H-E-B gift cards. It seeks clothing from size 18 months to 8, and diapers for newborns sizes 4, 5 and 6.
LAMPASAS MISSION
Lampasas Mission will provide Thanksgiving meal supplies to local families. Last year, the group served close to 200 people.
Administrator Charlotte Holland said Lampasas Mission has seen an influx of people needing assistance, especially elderly people.
The organization seeks donations of holiday food items including whole turkeys, canned green beans, canned corn, cake mix and frosting, instant potatoes and stuffing mix. It also requests baby diapers and wipes.