High temperatures in the 70s and even 80s over the last few days belie the Christmas decorations donning Golden Triangle homes and downtowns.
But winter will indeed come in earnest soon enough, and three area groups are working to provide those in need — whether homeless or those living in residences lacking reliable heat — with blankets, clothes and other essentials to keep warm.
The Columbus Lowndes Public Library, Helping Hands of Columbus and Bryan Public Library in West Point, are each hosting some form of donation drive.
Columbus Lowndes Public Library
The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library has established a winter closet at its Columbus branch on Seventh Street South.
“We have it located down stairs, on the first floor, we have a little clothing rack,” said Erin Busbea, library director. “We are just asking people to donate jackets, hoodies, pullovers, scarves, gloves, hats, tennis shoes, boots, things like that. We also have some little hygiene bags that people can grab.”
She said the rack is set in a corner to offer privacy for those who need it.
“We want to make sure that people still have their privacy and if they need something they can get it without feeling like someone might look at them and judge them,” she said.
The library has had a good turnout as far as donations. The clothing has also been leaving at a steady pace.
It plans to keep the closet open year-round to offer clothing to those in need.
Clothing can be claimed during regular business hours from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Helping Hands of Columbus
Helping Hands of Columbus is in the middle of its annual blanket drive.
“We do this every year, so the people that normally donate know to do it,” said Jennifer Garrard, executive director for the organization. “Then I posted our flier the other day on social media. We’ve had a really good response so far.”
The group has handed out 17 blankets already this year. Each household is allowed to get one blanket a year, and the only requirement is the recipient must be a Lowndes County resident with a photo ID or other proof of residency.
The drive will last throughout the cold months, Garrard said. “A lot of people think of it as a holiday thing,” Garrard said. “But they don’t realize we’re cold all the way through February. We usually don’t get our coldest (weather) until after (the holidays).”
Donations can be dropped off or picked up at the Helping Hands office, 223 22nd St. N. Only new blankets are accepted for donation, Garrard said. Helping Hands also accepts monetary donations with which it will purchase blankets.
Bryan Public Library
Bryan Public Library, 436 Commerce St. in West Point, is currently hosting a coat drive.
“We started back in October and it will run the entire winter,” said Jayme Evans, youth services librarian. “The last day will be the first day of spring, March 20.”
The library is looking for new or gently used coats for all ages. So far, there have been more than 100 coats donated, Evans said.
The library also dispersed some of the donated coats to local organizations to help more people in need have access to them.
“We gave around 20 of them to Sally Kate Winters Family Services and then we put a few out at The Mission also. They have a coat rack out,” Evans said.
Coats can be obtained during regular library hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.
“You just come in and pick up what you need,” Evans said. “We are not limiting because we know people have to pick up for families. We just ask that people get what they need.”
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You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 44 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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