Without the support we get from churches in the community, we would not be able to deliver some of the most needed services and items to our guests and residents.
Each month, our Resource Sorting Centre distributes approximately 200 pairs of men’s brand new underwear to those we serve. Underwear is a very significant need among people experiencing poverty and homelessness in our city, but it often goes unmentioned.
In December, First Alliance Church Calgary organized “The Unmentionables Drive” to collect brand new underwear for our most vulnerable citizens. The goal was to collect 10,000 pairs, but by the end of the drive, the generous donations far exceeded any expectation – 12,000 new pairs of underwear were collected!
“The Mustard Seed is one of our Partner Ministries. We are so glad that we were able to partner and meet a need in this way – all for Jesus,” says Michelle Peters, Share Ministries Administrative Assistant at First Alliance Church.
Clean underwear is very important for the people we serve at The Mustard Seed’s Shelter. Guests often arrive at the Shelter exhausted, sometimes muddy, wet or cold. A pair of clean briefs can go a long way making them feel good about their personal hygiene.
“By providing our guests or residents with a simple clean pair of briefs at the end of the day, we can give them a great deal of comfort throughout the night,” says Trudi, our Resource Sorting Centre Coordinator.
The drive mostly collected underwear for men. The demand for men’s underwear and briefs at the Shelter is very high because 80 per cent of those who stay at the Shelter are men.
“First Alliance Church Calgary collected a very large number of briefs that will last for several months past the time we typically run low or completely out of briefs,” says Trudi.
All the underwear was generously donated by members of the First Alliance Church congregation. Your generosity humbles us and we cannot thank you enough. We are very grateful for this gift. On behalf of those we serve, thank you First Alliance Church Calgary for building community, growing hope and supporting change for our most vulnerable citizens.
If you would like to donate new underwear to The Mustard Seed, please drop off at 102 11 Ave SE.
