Boxes of new towels and toiletry items that were collected by our congregation last year and had remained unused during the Covid pandemic will now benefit grateful families here in Hamden. The items were donated to the Keefe Community Center last week by Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and will support local families served by the Keefe Center’s Hamden Community Services Department.
“On behalf of the Keefe Community Center and the families we serve, I would like to thank you for both your generous contribution and your outpouring of support,” said Program Manager Sharon Jones, LMSW, in a letter to Pastor Les Swenson and the congregation. “Your efforts helped raise awareness regarding insecurities facing families right here in Hamden.”
Before the shutdown from the pandemic began in March 2020–and prior to the merger–members of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd and Christ Lutheran Church began collecting toothbrushes, combs, bars of soap and other items for the Lutheran World Relief (LWR) Project Promise Personal Care Kits. The intent was to collect the items throughout Lent and assemble the Personal Care Kits in time for Ingathering, which was to take place on May 15 last year. LWR distributes personal care kits and other types of kits to those in need around the world.
As the pandemic has worn on, the Personal Care Kit Project has remained on hold. At its April meeting, the Congregational Council agreed that the items could be put to good use in the Hamden area.
Thanks to everyone for their donations to this project and for making a difference in the lives of families in need.