Locust Street between 14th & 15th Streets, St. Louis

New Life Evangelistic Center will be having Thanksgiving with the Homeless OUTSIDE again this year, and WE NEED YOU! This year we’re inviting volunteers to do more than serve a meal. We need people to bring gifts of warmth, walk alongside our guests, and carry Thanksgiving to those who can’t make it to us.

WAYS TO SERVE ON THANKSGIVING DAY

-Morning Event Team · 7:00 am – 12:00 noon

-Setup (7:00 am): tents, tables, chairs, and stations

-Servers: hand out Thanksgiving meals to go

-Station Managers: run the drink, dessert, and clothing stations

-Guest Hosts: welcome our guests and walk with them through the event. Help them find a coat that fits, warm clothing, and a hygiene kit, and take time to talk and listen.

-Trash & Cleanup Crew: keep the area clean and help break down from 11:00 to noon

We ask every Morning Event volunteer to stay through cleanup, so our staff isn’t left to do it alone.

Street Outreach Team · 11:00 am – about 2:00 pm

-Join an NLEC outreach team to deliver meals, coats, and supplies to neighbors living in a homeless encampment who aren’t able to come to Locust Street.

-Outreach volunteers: Meet the NLEC team at [meeting point] at 11:00 am

-Drive your own vehicle and follow the NLEC team. Room for extra items to give away is a big help.

-Stay with the NLEC team for the entire outreach

-Must be 18 or older. Volunteers under 18 may take part only with a parent or guardian riding in the same vehicle.

Must sign a liability waiver before going out. A parent or guardian signs for any volunteer under 18. Waivers will be signed at the Volunteer Meeting on November 21.

BRING SOMETHING TO THE TABLE

-Every volunteer, family, church, and small group is invited to host a drive and collect:

-Coats and blankets: new, or gently used and clean, all sizes

-Socks: new only, please

-Hygiene kits: in a gallon zip-top bag, include a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, bar soap, a washcloth, lip balm, a comb, and wet wipes

-Warm extras: hats, gloves, scarves, and hand warmers

-Write a note. Tuck a handwritten card of encouragement into each hygiene kit. A few simple words can mean more than you’d think.

MANDATORY VOLUNTEER MEETING & DROP-OFF

Saturday, November 21 · [time]

2428 Woodson Rd, Overland, MO 63114

All Thanksgiving Day volunteers must attend. We’ll go over assignments and safety and answer your questions. Street Outreach volunteers will sign their waivers at this meeting. Please bring your drive donations with you.

SPONSORS NEEDED

Will YOU give $35 for one homeless person to receive a special Thanksgiving meal, bus tickets, warm clothing, and more? Donate through the registration process, or mail your gift to PO Box 473, St. Louis, MO 63166.

REGISTER

ALL volunteers MUST register by Friday, November 20. When you register, choose Morning Event Team or Street Outreach Team. Outreach volunteers, please tell us how many seats and how much cargo space your vehicle has.

Questions? Call Dulce at (314) 787-7285, or ask how you can volunteer with NLEC beyond Thanksgiving!